With A Little Help From Your Friends - Peer Supported Respite

Institute of Mental Health 6, Nov 06 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 Introduction

"What is clear from the results is that these patients could do as well or better in a less restrictive environment," said Tom Greenfield

There is an increasing mental health crisis around the entire world. With worldwide financial resources quickly eroding many countries are running out of the ability to care for those with a mental illness. Due to this, we need to re-evaluate our practices and systems of treatment. Hospitalization, medications, and cognitive therapy may not be enough to promote psychological growth.

Logo of the National Institute of Mental Health. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

From research done by the State Of Massachusetts, the National Institute of Mental Health, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration shows that there is hope for increasing mental health and reduce many of the higher costs of services and treatment. Further there are articles in the American Journal of Community Psychology that cover this research extensively.

The goal is to provide a more prophylactic treatment protocol through the use of services such as peer supported respite centers. Peer supported respite centers are residential, pre-crisis and crisis facilities that are staffed by certified professional peer support specialists. According to one study from Massachusetts peer supported respite is not only cost effective but is more likely to lead to psychological growth.

Institute of Mental Health 4, Nov 06 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A different and less threatening environment

Respite care is different from traditional inpatient hospitalization. Most respite centers are not locked down wards. The average stay at a peer supported respite center may be longer in duration than hospitalization. This is largely possible due to lower total cost of care that consumers receive.  

The longer duration of inpatient care offers opportunities to build skills in self-advocacy, establishing good support networks, and how to deal with crisis in a safe and effective manner. These centers also allow for more time to adjust to changes in medication. This significantly helps with the side effects and allows for emotional support until therapeutic benefits are realized.

Experienced staffing

These facilities are generally staffed by professionals who have been diagnosed with mental illnesses. These people have very practical experience dealing with mental illness and recovery. They have what is referred to as, “lived experience” and have reached a meaningful level of recovery themselves. This enables them to provide very individualized care and treatment plans. Often these practitioners work closely with human service organizations and other peer supported services in the community. These relationships help to establish long term stability and to overcome problems like housing which can be a significant problem.

Respite care and the criminal justice system
Peer supported care is being looked at more often as a resource for alternative sentencing agreements for those who are involved in the criminal court process. The desired outcomes of this would be to reduce re-entry into the system, increase compliance, and reduce the cost of administering these cases. According to the federal government 61% of inmates have a significant mental illness. Often these people are not receiving adequate care even within traditional systems of mental health. It would seem that financial resources are a major contributing factor. One department of corrections director told me that to get any real change in caring for those with mental illness is to sue them. They have repeatedly asked for money to deal with the increased populations that they are mandated to treat. This problem is extended when inmates are released under community supervision.

If you consider the benefits and outcomes from peer supported respite, it is easy to come to the conclusion that a community based respite center can bring both financial and emotional relief. I encourage the leaders of our communities, counties, and states to take a serious look at this option. If we build stronger Americans, we build a stronger America. Respite centers may offer a significant resource in accomplishing that goal.