Peer to Peer service intervention in primary care mental health
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Peer to Peer service intervention in primary care mental health
IRAS ID
181952
Contact name
Judith L Gellatly
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Manchester
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 9 months, 31 days
Research summary
The mental health wellbeing and coping skills of people with common mental health issues in Manchester is a key priority to Self Help, a user-led mental health charity, providing services across the North West. The recent development and implementation of a Peer to Peer service provides an innovative new dimension to their community based services. The Peer to Peer service promotes the culture and practice of peer experts who have gained experience of mental health difficulties and the steps that are necessary to create a successful recovery, through direct first-hand experience. The service aims to bring about lasting change by improving people's ability to manage both the symptoms of their condition (ie anxiety, depression, phobias etc) and to cope better with the ups and downs of daily life. The peer support approach of the project aims to provide an alternative/ complement to clinical mental health treatment which is based on the value of shared knowledge and experience in enabling and inspiring people towards recovery; peer supporters will employ their own experience to work alongside participants in an equal partnership on their journey towards independent and fulfilling lives.
The aim of this research study is to evaluate the Peer to Peer service by comparing outcomes with those achieved within current IAPT step 2 and 3 services delivered by NHS Manchester. Additionally it will draw on the experiences of individuals delivering and receiving the service to explore the acceptability of the service. As both parts of the study will be carried out by University of Manchester staff (alongside a trained service user) UREC approval is sought.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/NW/0062
Date of REC Opinion
19 Feb 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion