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A multi-national peer support intervention: the UPSIDES pilot phase

Nixdorf, Rebecca; Nugent, Lena; Aslam, Rabeea’h; Barber, Sarah; Charles, Ashleigh; Gai Meir, Lion; Grayzman, Alina; Hiltensperger, Ramona; Kalha, Jasmine; Korde, Palak; Mtei, Rachel; Niwemuhwezi, Jackie; Ramesh, Mary; Ryan, Grace; Slade, Mike; Wenzel, Lisa; Mahlke, Candelaria

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Authors

Rebecca Nixdorf

Lena Nugent

Rabeea’h Aslam

Sarah Barber

Ashleigh Charles

Lion Gai Meir

Alina Grayzman

Ramona Hiltensperger

Jasmine Kalha

Palak Korde

Rachel Mtei

Jackie Niwemuhwezi

Mary Ramesh

Grace Ryan

MIKE SLADE M.SLADE@NOTTINGHAM.AC.UK
Professor of Mental Health Recovery and Social Inclusion

Lisa Wenzel

Candelaria Mahlke



Abstract

Objective. Using Peer Support in Developing Empowering Mental Health Services (UPSIDES) is evaluating implementation of a peer support worker (PSW) intervention at six recruiting sites (Germany, India, Israel, Tanzania, and Uganda) (ISRCTN26008944). The aim of this study is to evaluate the pre-trial pilot phase. Method. The initial training to prepare individuals for the PSW role and the implementation of the peer support (PS) intervention was evaluated using a multi-method design comprising six focus groups (FG; n=22) and questionnaires capturing the perspectives of service users, PSWs, peer trainers, and mental health staff members (n=21). Results. Findings were organised across eleven key implementation themes: organisational culture, PSW training, PSW role definition, staff willingness and ability to work with PSWs, resource availability, financial arrangements, support for PSW well-being, PSW access to a peer network, acceptance, preparation, and other challenges. Discussion. The following recommendations are made, based on this pilot phase: the PS training should train on practical skills using role-playing exercises; PSWs should work in teams, including role reflection with colleagues (intervision) or with a highly experienced coach (supervision); necessary resources and tools for networking should be provided; and continuous awareness-raising about PS is needed.

Citation

Nixdorf, R., Nugent, L., Aslam, R., Barber, S., Charles, A., Gai Meir, L., …Mahlke, C. (2022). A multi-national peer support intervention: the UPSIDES pilot phase. Advances in Mental Health, 20(1), 2-14. https://doi.org/10.1080/18387357.2021.2020140

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Dec 16, 2021
Online Publication Date Jan 6, 2022
Publication Date Jan 6, 2022
Deposit Date Dec 17, 2021
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal Advances in Mental Health
Print ISSN 1837-4905
Electronic ISSN 1837-4905
Publisher Informa UK Limited
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 20
Issue 1
Pages 2-14
DOI https://doi.org/10.1080/18387357.2021.2020140
Keywords Psychiatry and Mental health
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/7022977
Publisher URL https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/18387357.2021.2020140