Peer support and online recovery education for teens after psychiatric hospitalization

The goal of this pilot study is to test the effectiveness of a novel intervention for teenagers (ages 15-18) with mental health conditions who have been released from an acute care psychiatric facility. The intervention aims to reduce suicidality, depression, anxiety, re-hospitalization, and to improve mental health recovery by using an online recovery education and support program.

The current standard of care (SOC) for these patients at discharge includes a discharge plan with a list of their medication(s), anticipated outpatient appointment(s), and corresponding information on when and where to find community resources.

The intervention being tested involves the implementation of an online recovery education and support (RES) program, involving one-on-one and small group meetings led by trained teen peers (TPs) and peer support specialists (PSS).

Participants will be assigned to either Cohort A or B for 8 weeks.

Cohort A will be the intervention group with online access to an RES, TP, and PSS.

• Week 1-4: One-on-one meetings with PSS and TP for education and support. Assessments will be completed at week 2 and 4.
• Week 5 and 7: one-one meetings with PSS and TP for education and support.
• Week 6 and 8: small group meetings with PSS, TP, and other participants. Assessments will be completed during Weeks 6 and 8.

Cohort B will be the SOC group with no PSS, TP, or RES.

• Weeks 1-4: Weekly check in phone calls with a member of the research team. Assessments will be completed at Weeks 2 and 4.
• Weeks 5-8: Check in phone calls with a member of the research team every other week. Assessments will be completed at weeks 6 and8.

Data collected from participant assessments, adherence to medication, and re-admittance to a psychiatric facility will be used to compare the intervention to the SOC.