RECOUP - NY
Restoring Mental Health Through Community-Based Psychological Services in NYC
THE VISION.
We are launching a 5 year research study, funded by the National Institutes of Health, to test the value of Problem Management Plus (PM+) in promoting the mental health of New Yorkers. This project will train trusted staff at local community-based organizations to deliver PM+ with the dual goal of (a) building capacity within community-based and social service organizations to address mental healthcare needs and (b) reducing barriers to mental healthcare by integrating culturally sensitive, evidence-based mental health support into existing systems of care.
THE PROBLEMS.
There are many barriers to seeking and receiving quality mental health care in the US. For instance, access to affordable care is limited and mental health systems are often difficult to navigate. Additionally, traditional models of mental health treatment are not healing for everyone and can be disempowering when the problem is viewed as an individual issue rather than an environmental or systemic one.
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
TO HELP BUILD A MORE ACCESSIBLE MENTAL HEALTHCARE SYSTEM.
In task-sharing models of mental health support, like PM+, people without a professional background or a formal education in mental health are taught the necessary skills to support members of their community experiencing emotional distress. PM+ empowers people with evidence-based strategies, based on cognitive behavioral therapy, to manage their problems and increase emotional wellbeing.
STUDY
DESIGN.
The RECOUP-NY team is conducting a cluster randomized controlled trial that tests the acceptability and effectiveness of PM+ in New York City to support communities in accessing mental healthcare. Staff at community-based organization offices located across the city will be trained to provide PM+. Their delivery of PM+ to New Yorkers will be compared with standard care in offices where clients participate in care as usual and PM+ is not implemented.
RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL
PM+ Offices
Staff at 20 offices trained to deliver
PM+ to clients experiencing distress
Standard Care Offices
20 offices where clients experiencing distress are provided care as usual
STUDY
OBJECTIVES.
Create evidence on the safety, acceptability, effectiveness and affordability of community-based mental health services delivered by non-clinical staff at community-based organizations.
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SAFETY
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Evaluate staff competency in foundational psychological support skills and PM+ specific skills
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Track potential harms to staff and clients
ACCEPTABILITY
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Explore staff and stakeholder perception of the contextual appropriateness and program fit of PM+
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Explore client satisfaction and perception of the helpfulness of PM+
EFFECTIVENESS
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Examine the effectiveness of PM+ in decreasing depression, anxiety and other mental health symptoms
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Examine the effectiveness of PM+ in improving daily functioning and overall wellbeing
AFFORDABILITY
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Examine the cost-effectiveness of implementing PM+ at community-based organizations
FOUNDING
PARTNERS.
