At the start of this new year, Peers for Progress is making strides on two projects. First, the National Peer Support Collaborative Learning Network has held two webinars and is moving forward with the organization of work groups on selected peer support topics. Second, we are expanding our coverage on peer support interventions in mental health. New mental health pages have been added to the PfP website and additional resources will be released periodically throughout the spring of 2013.
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Supporting Survivors of Traumatic Events
In this issue of the Peers for Progress newsletter, we reflect on the tragedy that befell the families of Newtown, Connecticut in the last weeks of 2012. Peer support is a valuable resource for survivors of traumatic events. It promotes recovery and protects against the development of post-traumatic stress disorder. [Read more]
National Peer Support Learning Network Moves Forward
The National Peer Support Collaborative Learning Network is a joint initiative by Peers for Progress and the National Council of La Raza (NCLR). The Network is supported through the Together on Diabetes initiative of the Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation. PfP co-hosted the first informational webinar on “Diabetes, Depression, Multi-Morbidity and Health in the 21st Century” in December. In January, the Network held a webinar meeting to discuss the development of work groups on selected topics. Work group products may potentially look like the PfP Issue Brief on Peer Support and the Affordable Care Act.
Webinar slides and video highlights are available online.
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New Mental Health Peer Support Webpages
Peer support for mental health is a field that has grown tremendously in the past 30 years. Mental health providers, state and local governments, as well as consumers are engaged in a dialogue about developing, expanding, and improving peer support services for mental health. Please take a moment to visit the new mental health pages on the PfP website to learn more. [Read more]
Cultural Competency in Mental Health Peer-run Programs and Self-help Groups: A Tool to Assess and Enhance Your Services This toolkit was developed by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) STAR Center and the University of Illinois at Chicago National Research and Training Center to help consumer-operated programs assess their cultural competency. [Read more]
SAMHSA Training Teleconference Archives
The Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration teleconference archives offer many helpful presentations on peer support for mental health. Presentation slides typically include dozens of links to additional resources. [Read more]
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Research Briefs
Outcome of a Randomized Study of a Mental Health Peer Education and Support Group in the VA
This study used a randomized design with three groups: a recovery-oriented peer-led group (Vet-to-Vet), a clinician-led recovery group, and usual treatment. The sample included 240 veterans. Recovery and mental health assessments were obtained at enrollment and three months later. Across groups, depression and functioning, psychotic symptoms, and overall mental health improved significantly. Better group attendance was associated with more improvement. [Full Abstract]
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptom Trajectories in Hurricane Katrina Affected Youth
A total of 426 youth (mean age=11 years; 75% minorities) completed assessments at 4 time points post-disaster. The results suggest that youth exposed to Hurricane Katrina have variable posttraumatic stress disorder symptom trajectories. Significant risk and protective factors were identified. Specifically, youth Hurricane and community violence exposure increased risk for a more problematic posttraumatic stress disorder symptom trajectory, while peer social support served as a protective factor for these youth. [Full Abstract]
Development of Project Wings Home Visits, a Mental Health Intervention for Latino Families using Community-based Participatory Research
This article details the steps undertaken to develop Project Wings Home Visits, a collaborative school-based, community-linked mental health promotion intervention for Latino adolescents and their families. Core to the intervention is the use of a community health worker model to provide home-based outreach and education to parents of Latino adolescents. The intervention was developed using a community-based participatory research approach that involved the cooperation of a community health care system, a public high school, and a university. [Full Abstract]
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Funding Opportunities
Public Health Law Research: Making the Case for Laws that Improve Health
DEADLINE: April 4, 2013
The program seeks to build the evidence for and strengthen the use of regulatory, legal and policy solutions to improve public health. This program includes three primary activities: 1) Funding research and evaluation related to public health laws and their impact, 2) Providing technical assistance to and coordination for those engaging in this type of research, analysis, evaluation and/or integration into practice, and 3) Supporting communication, translation and outreach efforts. [More Info]
Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases
DEADLINE: TBD
The GACD will fund research on the “prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes, with a focus on implementation/intervention research in low and middle-income countries, low income populations in high income countries, and Aboriginal communities within Canada and Australia for a launch within approximately 6 months with funding commencing in 2014.” Further details of the research call will be announced via the website www.gacd.org shortly. [More Info]
HRSA Delta State Rural Development Network Grant Program
DEADLINE: TBD
The Delta States Rural Development Network Grant Program requires local health providers to work together across counties and parishes to implement programs chronic diseases. The programs will focus on strengthening the knowledge people of the Delta region have about health risk and disease management. Up to $5.6 million in the first year will focus on managing three health risks—diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity—that disproportionately affect the Delta region. [More Info]
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