A Group Model Building Approach to Understanding Mental Health Challenges After a Cardiac Event

Mental health is a critical component of recovery following an acute cardiac event, yet the factors shaping mental health across the care continuum are complex and interconnected. This study aimed to co-develop a shared understanding of factors influencing mental health following a cardiac event and to identify priority areas for intervention, informed by consumers with lived experience and key stakeholders.

Group Model Building was used to collaboratively explore and visually map factors shaping mental health experiences after an acute cardiac event. A national sample of consumers with lived experience of a cardiac event (n = 3) and relevant stakeholders (n = 9) participated in facilitated workshops to reflect on factors influencing mental health across the cardiac healthcare journey. Eight interconnected domains were identified: knowledge, skills, health system context, personal context, emotional response, social influences, behavioural regulation, and beliefs about capabilities. Participants highlighted health literacy, systemic support for services, ability to navigate services, and person-centred approaches as key priorities for future action.

Supporting mental health following a cardiac event requires coordinated, multi-level interventions that address interacting individual, service-level, and community factors.