OPAL - intervention development
Research type
Research Study
Full title
One-to-one Peer support for family members and friends of patients treated under the mentAL health act (OPAL) – developing the intervention
IRAS ID
302360
Contact name
Domenico Giacco
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 28 days
Research summary
Research Summary
What led to this research?
Previous research on experiences of carers of patients treated under the MHA showed that most carers feel isolated and unsupported. They need help to overcome feelings of frustration and guilt and to restore relationships with their loved ones and services.
The recent MHA review recognised the need to support carers throughout this challenging time. However, at present, there are no routinely available services doing this.What will we study?
Peer support among patients has proved to be popular and effective in mental health services with limited costs. In Germany, a programme where carers are trained to support other carers reduced caregiving stress and improved carers’ quality of life. This programme could be beneficial if adapted to England.How will we study this?
The project will be carried out in urban (East London) and rural (Warwickshire) sites.
We will organise one-to-one interviews with carers, service users and clinicians and other experts in mental health care to generate ideas on how one-to-one carer peer support can be delivered in England. We will analyse the data from these interviews in a team including a person with lived experience of being a carer.What will the study lead to?
Based on the findings of this study, we will develop a training for carer peer support. In a subsequent study, we will train carer to act as peer supporters in England and explore how this works in practice.How will we share our results?
We will publish findings in academic journals and in publications designed for service users and carers and produce guides about the peer support programme for carers and policy makers.Summary of Results
For the first work package of this study (where family members/friends of people treated under the Mental Health Act – also known as carers- were interviewed), participants reported receiving support from professionals, peers and relatives but that this support appeared unstructured and the extent of support provided varied across participants. Participants reported wanting more information about mental health services and for this information to be consistent. Participants also described wanting emotional support from a single, continuous person- ideally with lived experience- to help them obtain a more sincere and personal connection.
For the second work package (where carers, patients and professionals involved in treatment under the Mental Health Act (MHA) were interviewed) participants suggested that a carer peer support programme should promote open communication between carers, professionals and patients and ensure that carer’s input in their patients’ care is valued by professionals. Participants also reported that, as part of a carer peer support programme, training around setting boundaries should be provided to the carer providing support and that regular support and monitoring be offered to this group whilst they support other carers. In terms of delivering support, participants suggested providing a mix of written, online and face-to-face communication. Finally, participants identified several potential benefits of a carer peer support programme including improved wellbeing and knowledge amongst carers, as well as improved relationships with their loved ones and with professionals.REC name
West of Scotland REC 3
REC reference
21/WS/0098
Date of REC Opinion
31 Aug 2021
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion