Amy B. Spagnolo

Wellness coaching: a new role for peers.

TOPIC This brief report presents the conceptual framework for the development of the peer wellness coach role including the definition of a new job role for peer providers and an overview of the knowledge and skills required for this role. PURPOSE People with serious mental illnesses are at greater risk of living with untreated chronic medical conditions that severely impact their quality of life and result in premature mortality. Wellness coaching represents an intervention that can help individuals persist in the pursuit of individually chosen health and wellness goals. SOURCES USED Literature and our personal and professional experiences developing this role and training are presented. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Wellness coaching seems an ideal role for peers in recovery that has potential to address health and wellness issues facing persons living with mental illnesses who are at high risk of comorbid medical conditions.

A study of the impact of social support development on job acquisition and retention among people with psychiatric disabilities

The current study examined the relationship between specific techniques for developing social support (i.e., Person Centered Planning) and job related outcomes among 110 individuals with psychiatric disabilities receiving Supported Employment (SE) services in a northeastern state. Seven SE programs participated. All individuals receiving SE services from any of the seven SE programs were eligible to enroll in the study. Participant data were collected on demographics, psychiatric history, work history, and social support over a period of two years. Data on the use of Person Center Planning practices were collected from SE staff every three months for the first 12 months of the study. This information was recorded in the Quality Indicators Survey, an instrument developed for this study. A positive relationship was found between total days employed and the number of non- paid supporters an individual reported having; a negative relationship existed between total days employed and number of paid supporters; and there was a positive correlation between total days employed and Person Centered Planning techniques used at nine and 12 months.

A study of the perceived barriers to the implementation of circles of support.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to identity barriers to implementing the social support intervention, Circle of Support, in supported employment (SE) services for people with psychiatric disabilities. METHOD Semi-structured interviews were administered to SE staff at three month intervals up to one year. Two focus groups were held with service recipients who did not participate in a circle of support. Interviews were conducted with two individuals receiving SE services who participated in a pilot project in which study researchers implemented circles of support. RESULTS Common themes regarding the barriers to implementing a circle of support developed from the data. Service recipients who did not participate in a circle of support and those who did expressed the perceived and actual barriers to this approach as being: time, too much focus on the participant, and lack of control/facilitation of circle activities. Service recipients who participated in a pilot who had circles of support reported that this intervention was beneficial to them. Staff and service recipients identified time, running of the actual circle of support meetings, and supporter issues as barriers to implementing this technique. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Although certain barriers to this technique were identified, there were features of this approach that both staff and service recipients, who had a circle of support, found beneficial. Since ongoing support is a critical component of successful employment, individuals may benefit from the use of these Circles of Support techniques.

Strategies to Promote Walking Among Community-Dwelling Individuals with Major Mental Disorders

Individuals with major mental disorders could benefit from low cost, functional ways to support healthy lifestyles. Walking is a popular, preferred, accessible, and safe physical activity for many people. Walking is free, requiring no specialized equipment or membership fee, and is important to support engagement in other daily living activities. The current study explores the benefits of walking and strategies for promoting walking among community-dwelling individuals with major mental disorders. Key issues include strengthening engagement, tracking progress, and sustaining participation to achieve goals related to walking. The authors propose ways that nurses can support increased walking behavior for improved health and well-being in this population. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 56(3), 25-32.].