Peer‐driven family support services in the context of first‐episode psychosis: Participant perceptions from a Canadian early intervention programme

Abstract

Aim This paper aims to advance our understanding of the experience of participating in peer support groups for family members of persons with psychosis and to expand the scant body of literature on peer support in the context of early intervention services for psychosis. Such an examination is relevant because the implementation and uptake of family‐focused interventions remain inconsistent in early intervention services, despite their proven benefits. Methods To enable family caregivers to support one another, a family peer support project was initiated at an early intervention service for psychosis in Montreal, Canada. A family peer support provider and researchers collaboratively designed and conducted this study to examine the experience of those who participated in family peer support groups. Forty‐four family members completed an English or French online questionnaire. Thematic analysis was used to code responses to open‐ended questions to unpack crucial elements of this peer support intervention. Results Three key themes were identified—the impact of psychosis on families; understanding and coping with psychosis through family peer support; and improving family peer support services. Mutual support through sharing experiences; gains in knowledge of the illness and its treatment; emotional support; and increased caregiving and self‐care capacities and skills were identified as critical benefits of family peer support. Conclusion Family peer support can be an acceptable and cherished means of engaging and sustaining families and enhancing their caregiving skills. Its integration into early intervention services holds the promise of helping promote recovery and reducing caregiver burden.

Unfinished business: Functional outcomes in a randomized controlled trial of a three‐year extension of early intervention versus regular care following two years of early intervention for psychosis

“…The frequency and severity of alcohol and drug use was assessed repeatedly with the timeline follow-back procedure, 24 and case managers were trained in providing brief motivational interviewing that integrated personalized feedback based on these ongoing assessments. Booster sessions of family psychoeducation, multiple family group therapy, 25 cognitivebehavior therapy (CBT), substance use management, Individual Placement and Support, and a family peer support group 26 were also offered. Barring individual placement and support for which there was a waitlist, these individual interventions were available to all patients who needed them.…”

Unmet Needs and Perceived Challenges in Early Intervention for Psychosis: A Qualitative Study of Three Groups of Stakeholders

“…Another notable finding was clients' and family caregivers' expressions of feeling lonely and desire for support from others having similar experiences. Receiving peer support can benefit both clients and family caregivers (e.g., Baumel et al, 2016;Lal et al, 2019); clients may experience improvements in internalized stigma, self-esteem, and satisfaction with life (Best et al, 2018), and family caregivers may experience an increased emotional resilience, caregiving competence, and coping skills (Levasseur et al, 2019). Although clients' and family caregivers' desire for peer support within CSC programs was previously documented (Dillinger & Kersun, 2020;Griffiths et al, 2019), it is seldom offered.…”

A Systematic Mapping Review of Family Perspectives About Received Mental Health Interventions

“…This reflects the growth in recognition of the association between coproduction and the development of mental health services that have “positive outcomes related to well-being, social connectedness, stigma, inclusion, personal competencies, and skills, with a positive social return on investment” (Pocobello et al, 2020, p. 461). These initiatives include carer designed and led education and support interventions (Bademli & Duman, 2016; Dixon et al, 2011; Foster, 2011; Fox et al, 2015; Kageyama et al, 2017; Levasseur et al, 2019; Perlick et al, 2011; Shor & Birnbaum, 2012; Toohey et al, 2016). The benefits received by family carers through mutual support groups and receiving support from peers have long been recognized (Chien & Norman, 2009).…”

“…Having a carer peer leader provided a sense of optimism and hope for the future through participants witnessing positive journeys of lived experience (Fox et al, 2015; Levasseur et al, 2019). Besides the strongly endorsed benefits for the participants of carer peer-led interventions, the carer peer leaders also experienced growth in their self-assurance and capability (Kageyama et al, 2017).…”

“…The inclusion of carers in interventions has long been established as an added dimension of support through the sharing of collective experiences (Petrakis et al, 2013). This is increasingly powerful in providing a sense of optimism and hope through people newer to caring or fatigued by it having the opportunity to observe carers who have a positive lived experience of caring (Fox et al, 2015; Levasseur et al, 2019). The review has demonstrated that a growing number of studies consider the views and experiences of carers within interventions, including increasingly active participation of carers in designing, leading, facilitating, or coproducing interventions that are of critical importance in relational recovery from mental ill-health within families.…”