Aim: Coordinated specialty care (CSC) is a collaborative-team based approach that has been shown to be helpful for patients with first-episode psychosis. Peer support is an important component of CSC. Here, we describe the development and implementation of peer-led group programming (McLean WellSpace) that was loosely affiliated with a CSC (McLean OnTrack). We discuss how we adapted this program to the challenges imposed by COVID-19.Methods: WellSpace was developed to have minimal barriers to entry other than a self-reported history of recent onset of psychosis. It is free for participants with minimal restrictions about who may attend. WellSpace and WellSpace groups are largely administered by peer specialists who align with the recovery movement. WellSpace has been a virtual program since March 2020. Results: McLean WellSpace participants include many people who are not patients ofMcLean OnTrack, suggesting that such programs may have greater reach than standard medical programs. We transitioned to virtual programming and saw average group attendance and unique participants increase during the pandemic.Conclusions: Our experience suggests that peer-led group programming for firstepisode psychosis is well-accepted by patients, including many who are not engaged with a CSC. This may be related to our efforts to minimize barriers to entry and our peer-led, non-medical orientation.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2025 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.