Bronagh Weir1, Margaret Cunningham2, Lucy Abraham3, Charlie Allanson-Oddy4. 1. Stracathro Hospital, NHS Tayside, Brechin, UK. 2. NMAHP Research Unit, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK. 3. Veterans First Point, Scotland Team, Edinburgh, UK, and. 4. Veterans First Point, Lothian Team, Edinburgh, UK.
Abstract
Background: Many UK military veterans experiencing mental health and well-being difficulties do not engage with support services to get the help they need. Some mental health clinics employ Peer Support Workers (PSWs) to help veteran patients engage, however it is not known how the role influences UK veteran engagement.Aims: To gain insight into the role of peer support in UK veteran engagement with mental health and well-being services.Method: A qualitative study based on 18 semi-structured interviews with veterans, PSWs and mental health clinicians at a specialist veteran mental health and well-being clinic in Scotland. Results: Four themes of the PSW role as positive first impression, understanding professional friend, helpful and supportive connector, and an open door were identified across all participants. The PSWs' military connection, social and well-being support and role in providing veterans with an easily accessible route to dis-engage and re-engage with the service over multiple engagement attempts were particularly crucial.Conclusions: The Peer Support role enhanced veteran engagement in the majority of instances. Study findings mirrored existing peer support literature, provided new evidence in relation to engaging UK veterans, and made recommendations for future veteran research and service provision.
Background: Many UK military veterans experiencing mental health and well-being difficulties do not engage with support services to get the help they need. Some mental health clinics employ Peer Support Workers (PSWs) to help veteran patients engage, however it is not known how the role influences UK veteran engagement.Aims: To gain insight into the role of peer support in UK veteran engagement with mental health and well-being services.Method: A qualitative study based on 18 semi-structured interviews with veterans, PSWs and mental health clinicians at a specialist veteran mental health and well-being clinic in Scotland. Results: Four themes of the PSW role as positive first impression, understanding professional friend, helpful and supportive connector, and an open door were identified across all participants. The PSWs' military connection, social and well-being support and role in providing veterans with an easily accessible route to dis-engage and re-engage with the service over multiple engagement attempts were particularly crucial.Conclusions: The Peer Support role enhanced veteran engagement in the majority of instances. Study findings mirrored existing peer support literature, provided new evidence in relation to engaging UK veterans, and made recommendations for future veteran research and service provision.
Entities:
Keywords:
Peer support; engagement; mental health; military veteran; peer support worker; qualitative
Authors: Joseph C Geraci; Erin P Finley; Emily R Edwards; Sheila Frankfurt; A Solomon Kurz; Nipa Kamdar; Megan E Vanneman; Leonard M Lopoo; Hannah Patnaik; Jean Yoon; Nicholas Armstrong; Ashley L Greene; Gilly Cantor; Joseph Wrobleski; Erin Young; Matthew Goldsmith; Richard W Seim; Marianne Goodman Journal: Implement Sci Date: 2022-07-08 Impact factor: 7.960
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