An Engagement Intervention for Young Adults with Serious Mental Health Conditions

Abstract

Young adults with serious mental health conditions (SMHCs) often do not engage continuously with mental health services, and there are few engagement interventions designed for them. This qualitative study presents a blueprint for conceptualizing and developing an engagement intervention designed for young adults with SMHCs. The blueprint includes the following activities: (1) establishing a strong theoretical basis, (2) designing an initial manual based on previous research and practice, (3) systematically examining feedback on the manual from stakeholders, and (4) examining the feasibility, acceptability, and implementation demands of the intervention. Interviews, group discussions, and journaling were utilized to collect information from young adult participant-researchers, intervention facilitators (i.e., recovery role models and clinicians), and additional stakeholders (e.g., clinic staff and administrators) (N = 43). Analyses were performed with multiple coders using constant comparative methods. Results revealed critical information to improve the intervention, while also suggesting that the engagement intervention for young adults with SMHCs has promise.

Improving the No-Show Rate of New Patients in Outpatient Psychiatric Practice: An Advance Practice Nurse-Initiated Telephone Engagement Protocol Quality Improvement Project

“…Much of the research surrounding patient engagement focuses on children, with targeted interventions for parents that include a combined telephone engagement intervention and a first interview intervention with the provider (McKay et al., ). In adolescent and young adult populations reminder interventions on an individual level boost service use, while family‐level interventions improved not only no‐show rates but also ongoing attendance (Kim, Munson, & McKay, ; Munson et al., ). Telephone‐based motivational interviewing has successfully engaged veterans returning from war who were referred by primary care to mental health specialties, which resulted in patients attending visits and having successive visits (Zanjani, Bush, & Oslin, ).…”

Cornerstone program for transition-age youth with serious mental illness: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

“…Given that these years are a time of critical identity development, mentors may be particularly relevant in assisting youth in making sense of their life with a mental health condition [32]. Previous research suggests that transition-age youth report recovery role models are engaging and helpful in a myriad of ways that feel important to youth in the process of getting better after an episode of illness [33]. Beyond representing a conceptual innovation the recovery role model fits with our transforming care system, which emphasizes outcomes-based reimbursement for non-professionals.…”

“…A group approach where young adults in transition living with SMHC are allowed to process experiences, alongside a recovery role model who comes from a similar community who has been able to engage professionals, as needed, and move forward in their lives, may prove effective. Previous research has found that the participants find the group process to be particularly helpful and that it decreases feelings of isolation [33]. The groups in Cornerstone focus on areas of development that key stakeholders identified as critical and not well addressed, such as substance use prevention, healthy relationships, safety planning, employment skills, education planning, and safe housing, among others (See Table 1 for Cornerstone Group Manual Table of Contents).…”

“…Building on the field of mentoring research, Cornerstone RRMs are screened for a specific set of knowledge, skills, and experiences, including the ability to model healthy relationships for transition-age youth and young adults with serious mental health conditions. RRMs show promise as a complementary model to traditional peer support models in the mental health field [33]. In part, this position was conceptualized to deal with challenges that surface in some peer support models with youth (e.g., turnover, boundary issues, less rigorous screening and training).…”

Introduction to the Special Section: Positive Developmental Strategies for Engaging Emerging Adults and Improving Outcomes

“…The article by Munson et al 5 describes a project that conceptualized, developed, refined, and tested the feasibility and acceptability of an engagement intervention designed with and for young adults with SMHCs. The Just Do You intervention aims to improve self-efficacy and empowerment among young adults, as well as to enhance engagement in mental health services among young adults through explicit acknowledgement that they are the Bdrivers^in their mental health care.…”