Mood Lifters: evaluation of a novel peer-led mental wellness program

Mood Lifters: evaluation of a novel peer-led mental wellness program Cecilia M. Votta, Patricia J. Deldin Mental Health Review Journal, Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print, pp.- The purpose of this paper is to test a mental wellness intervention, Mood Lifters (ML), that addresses significant barriers to mental health care. ML includes adults over 18 struggling with mental wellness or any life difficulties, except those with active suicidality, mania and psychosis, and addresses barriers to care using peer leaders in a manualized group format with a gamified point system. Participants were recruited using online postings. Those eligible (76% female, 80% white) were randomly assigned to professional-led groups (N = 30), peer-led groups (N = 33) or a waitlist (N = 22; i.e. attended assigned condition if available). Participants completed pre- and postgroup measures (including the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 and Perceived Stress Scale), attended 15 weekly meetings and tracked “points” or at-home skills practice. Multiple imputation was used to account for attrition. Linear regressions were analyzed to determine the program’s impact on anxiety and depressive symptoms and perceived stress. Further analyses included comparisons between peer- and professional-led groups. Participants in ML experienced significant reductions in anxiety symptoms. Completing more homework across the program led to signifi...
Source: Mental Health Review Journal - Category: Psychiatry Authors: Source Type: research