A Welcoming Space to Manage Crisis: The Wellness Respite Program

Area of Science:

• Psychosocial Nursing
• Mental Health Services
• Behavioral Health Care

Background:

• Growing need for behavioral health care, including crisis alternatives, with increased federal funding.
• Crisis alternatives offer a viable option to inpatient hospitalization for severe emotional distress.
• Peer respite programs are voluntary, short-term crisis alternatives for mental distress, with limited research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a unique, peer-led crisis alternative program, Wellness Respite.
• To present data from recent satisfaction surveys within the Wellness Respite program.
• To examine the role of nurses within this peer-led crisis alternative.

Main Methods:

• Description of the Wellness Respite program, a peer-led, home-like crisis alternative.
• Inclusion of data from 7 years of program operation.
• Analysis of recent satisfaction surveys and the role of nursing staff.

Main Results:

• The Wellness Respite program has been operational for 7 years.
• Satisfaction survey data indicates program effectiveness.
• Nurses play a significant role in the program's success.

Conclusions:

• Home-like, short-term crisis alternatives like Wellness Respite are effective.
• The role of the nurse is crucial in supporting individuals in crisis.
• Further research is needed to understand the impact of peer-led crisis alternatives.