A pilot study of wellness coaching for smoking cessation among individuals with mental illnesses.

BACKGROUND: Smoking continues to be a major health concern among persons with mental illnesses. AIMS: This pilot study compared smoking outcomes between wellness-coaching for smoking cessation and a control group. METHODS: Thirty-one individuals were enrolled in an educational group on smoking cessation and 23 completed an eight-session manualized education. Following this educational group, 11 of 23 participants were randomly assigned to wellness coaching for four months and 12 to a control condition. ANCOVAs were used to compare group differences in smoking outcomes. RESULTS: Fagerström Nicotine Dependence Index (FTND) score of the participants who received the wellness coaching intervention decreased significantly as compared to the control group, indicating a lower level of nicotine dependence. The outcomes of average number of cigarettes smoked daily and breath carbon monoxide level showed tendencies towards reductions for wellness coaching, although not statistically significant compared to the control condition. CONCLUSIONS: Suggestions are shared about the feasibility of wellness coaching as well as barriers and challenges learned in implementing such an intervention to assist individuals with mental illnesses in quitting or reducing smoking.

Perceptions of Supervisors of Peer Support Workers (PSW) in Behavioral Health: Results from a National Survey.

This content analysis of open-ended survey responses compares and contrasts perceptions on supervision from supervisors with experience providing direct peer support services (PS) and supervisors without experience providing direct peer support services (NPS).A 16-item online survey was distributed via the National Association of Peer Supporters (N.A.P.S.) listserv and through peer networks and peer run organizations. Responses from 837 respondents, across 46 US states, were analyzed. Four open ended questions assessed supervisors' perceptions on differences supervising peer support workers (PSW) as compared to other staff, important qualities of PSW supervisors, roles when supervising a PSW, and concerns about PSWs in the organization. Among NPS and PS, three major differences in themes emerged: the knowledge required of supervisors, understanding of the role of the PSW, and supervisors' beliefs regarding PSW competencies. PS have a more nuanced understanding of the peer support worker role and the impact of lived experience in the role.

Health literacy training: A model for effective implementation and sustainability.

OBJECTIVE: Training the mental health workforce to provide health promotion and support to people using their services to manage comorbid conditions is essential if full integration of physical and mental health is to become a reality. We document how a training model was explicitly designed to extend curricula beyond the classroom in order to increase the frequency and quality of physical health interventions. We also show how implementation was supported by a strong project structure and a facilitative administration. METHOD: This article was informed by the workforce development literature, process observations, and key informant interviews. RESULTS: Passive dissemination cannot change practice. Buy-in and commitment from agency leaders facilitates collaboration between consultant-trainers and trainees. Organizations with strong implementation structures help ensure training uptake. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: When contracting with trainers, ensure that they understand the need for and are willing to commit to sustainability. Additionally, organizations will benefit by using lessons from implementation science when approaching workforce.