Fostering self-help on an inpatient unit.

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Mental Health
• Social Sciences

Background:

• A growing self-help movement exists for chronic mental illness, yet it lags behind that for chemical dependency.
• Barriers such as stigma, denial, and illness effects hinder organized self-help for this population.
• A burgeoning mental health consumer movement advocates for greater patient involvement and empowerment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address challenges in establishing self-help for chronic mental illness.
• To develop and evaluate a coping group intervention on a psychiatric unit.
• To foster connections with existing self-help organizations and promote patient agency.

Main Methods:

• A 12-bed psychiatric unit implemented a coping group.
• Guest speakers who are successfully coping mental health consumers served as role models.
• The group aimed to link participants with a local self-help club.

Main Results:

• The coping group was positively received by participants.
• The intervention highlighted the potential for individuals with chronic mental illness to positively influence their condition.
• The group generated research questions and suggested clinical practice improvements.

Conclusions:

• Coping groups can be a valuable tool in supporting individuals with chronic mental illness.
• Peer support and role modeling are effective strategies in mental health self-help.
• Further research and clinical practice modifications are warranted to enhance self-help initiatives.