A Feasibility Study to Implement and Evaluate a Third Sector Mental Health Recovery Programme to Support the Transition to Community Living from Acute Mental Health Care

Abstract

This brief reports outlines a 9-month feasibility study aimed at introducing and evaluating a third-sector mental health recovery programme to support patients on an acute mental health ward transitioning to community discharge. The study outcome data indicates that the recovery programme improved self-reported well-being (p = 0.01) and self-reported recovery progress (p = 0.01). The sample size for this study is small, and the results should be interpreted with caution. Recommendations are made as to ways in which third sector recovery programmes can be further developed in inpatient mental health services. The study was a collaborative endeavour between NHS mental health services and a third sector mental health charity. The provision findings indicates that collaborative working between healthcare and third sector at the time of discharge from acute mental health care can improve service users’ well-being.