Efficacy of Peer-Led Education in Improving Mental Health Recovery Outcomes in Tennessee

Detailed Summary

This randomized controlled trial tests the efficacy of a mental health peer-led educational intervention called BRIDGES (Building Recovery of Individual Dreams and Goals through Education and Support). The BRIDGES program is a 10-week, manualized education course designed to provide basic information about the etiology and treatment of mental illness, self-help skills, and recovery principles in order to empower participants to return to valued social roles within their communities. BRIDGES is a peer-led program and all instructors are adults with mental illnesses. For study purposes, the 10-week course was modified to 8-weeks, meeting 2 1/2 hours once a week. Hypothesis #1: Compared to wait-list controls, intervention participants will report increased feelings of psychological empowerment. Hypothesis #2: Compared to wait-list controls, intervention participants will report increased feelings of hopefulness. Hypothesis #3: Compared to wait-list controls, intervention participants will report enhanced coping ability. Hypothesis #4: Compared to wait-list controls, intervention participants will report enhanced recovery. Hypothesis #5: Compared to wait-list controls, intervention participants will report greater ability to advocate for themselves with health care providers. Hypothesis #6: Compared to wait-list controls, those in the BRIDGES education course will report increased knowledge of the causes and treatment of mental illness and recovery principles.

Study Details

Timeline

Interventions