A new self‐management intervention for people with severe psychiatric diagnoses

The purpose of this paper is to describe the development and delivery of a self‐management and peer support intervention for people with severe mental health diagnoses.

There was a gap in the provision of a self‐management intervention designed and delivered by people with psychiatric diagnoses. In total, 24 people with the experience of severe mental ill‐health took part in developing the model and course materials for a new self‐management intervention. A three‐stage intervention was designed: two‐day training, six follow‐up sessions, and on‐going peer support.

Between 2009 and 2012, over six hundred participants across Wales were trained. In total, 35 of the new courses and 27 of the Bipolar UK courses have been delivered. Currently, 15 peer support groups are still meeting regularly and many people are receiving on‐going support. At present, the effectiveness of the intervention is being evaluated; data are being collected at baseline, and at six and 12‐month follow‐up.

Most self‐management strategies developed in the past have been focused on physical health conditions and developed and delivered by clinicians. This new self‐management intervention is based on the needs and experiences of the target beneficiaries. It was developed and is being delivered by people who have a psychiatric diagnosis, and have come through the training themselves.