This program evaluation aims to assess the level of utilization, perceived competence and importance of recovery-oriented practices in intervention with carers of people living with mental illness. Data were collected through an online survey completed by 59 participants from member associations of the Confédération des Associations de Proches en santé mentale du Québec (CAP). Findings reveal that participants place a high importance on recovery-oriented practices, but their utilization and perceived competence are lower. Fostering collaboration and training are identified as potential paths to better integrate recovery-oriented practices.

La performance de l’emploi accompagné peut être améliorée en combinant l’accompagnement personnalisé à des interventions collectives (de groupe) inspirées des TCC. L’objectif de cette expérimentation était de démontrer la valeur ajoutée, en France, de ce type d’intervention. L’expérimentation a été menée selon une approche mixte, associant une évaluation quasi-expérimentale longitudinale et qualitative. Une amélioration des taux d’accès et de maintien en emploi a été constatée. On observe également une réduction importante des symptômes anxieux et dépressifs, plus rapide pour les personnes du groupe expérimental. Ce type d’intervention de groupe, validé au Canada, mérite d’être déployé à plus grande échelle en France.

Ancrée dans un système de santé apprenant, l’intervention PAIRPEP, soutient l’intégration de la pair-aidance et la pair-aidance famille dans les Programmes pour premiers épisodes psychotiques (PPEP). Élaborée selon une démarche de coconstruction avec les parties prenantes concernées pour répondre aux défis d’implantation de la pair-aidance et favoriser sa reconnaissance institutionnelle, l’intervention comprend une formation complémentaire sur la pratique de pair-aidance en PPEP, des séances de mentorat/intervision bimensuelles aux pairs aidants et pairs aidants famille, des séances d’échanges de connaissances en communauté de pratique impliquant diverses parties prenantes, et des outils cliniques/clinico-administratifs pour soutenir leurs interventions et leur intégration au PPEP.

As an introduction to this special issue on New Developments in Community Treatment, Interventions, and Services for Serious Mental Illness, we, the editors of this special issue (TL & GS), sought the perspective of Kim T. Mueser to revisit the great changes that have taken place over the years. We felt this historical and critical view of the field would be a great way to understand how we got to where we are now, in terms of new treatments and services related to work, psychological symptoms, stigma, housing, and recovery described in this special issue. As such, this narrative review revisits important milestones in psychiatric rehabilitation for people with persistent, severe, or serious mental illness (i.e., SMI), beginning with its roots and early developments, and followed by extensive research leading to the current plethora of empirically validated interventions and programs. The influence of the recovery movement and the shift towards more person-centred care are considered for the contemporary practice of psychiatric rehabilitation. We also provide a critical analysis of the status of our field, including both major accomplishments and ongoing challenges, such as limited access to evidence-based rehabilitation practices, new technologies, and workforce issues. Hopeful future directions are proposed for addressing these and other challenges. We hope this introduction, as well as the articles chosen and peer reviewed for this special issue, will help you discover the ever-burgeoning field of recovery-oriented services and treatments for people with SMI.

Education is an important goal in first-episode psychosis (FEP), which can be complicated by cognitive impairments. Combining cognitive remediation (CR) and supported education (SE) could improve education prospects. This study aimed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of remote CR+SE in FEP, and to explore its effect on cognitive and psychosocial outcomes. Nine participants were recruited, of which four completed the intervention. Overall, they found the CR program acceptable. Reliable Change Indices revealed significant improvements for cognitive functioning and self-esteem, and participants partially or completely reached their goals. Remote CR+SE in FEP appears promising, though engagement remains a challenge.

La présence d’actes criminels dans la vie d’un individu peut entraîner la consommation de substances psychoactives (SPA) pour apaiser ceux-ci. Qu’elle soit problématique ou non, la consommation de SPA peut affecter l’intervention auprès des victimes. Une première étude a permis de documenter certaines lacunes dans l’intervention spécialisée en dépendance lorsqu’il y a présence de victimisation. L’étude actuelle s’intéresse à la prise en compte de la consommation par les personnes intervenant auprès des victimes d’actes criminels. Les résultats des 31 entrevues menées auprès d’intervenant(e)s soulèvent principalement les besoins de mieux connaître les SPA et leurs effets de même que les besoins de collaboration entre professionnel(le)s afin d’améliorer les services aux victimes.

This study aimed to explore and describe the experiences of lay peers learning and delivering a group cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) intervention for postpartum depression (PPD). Informed by the principles of qualitative description, interviews were conducted with five lay peers who had delivered the intervention. Transcripts were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Delivering group CBT may have personal and professional benefits for peer facilitators and support them in accepting and making meaning of their past PPD experiences. Training in evidence-based therapies in a supportive environment is important for facilitating benefits experienced by peers and supporting efforts to scale these treatments.

The aim of the present study was to examine the moderating effects of various protective factors on the association between homophobic victimization and psychosocial adjustment problems among youth from lesbian and gay parent families. The sample included 97 respondents (M = 17.2 years) who completed measures of homophobic victimization, social support, coping strategies, and psychosocial problems. Support from parents and friends was found to moderate the impact of victimization on risky behaviours. These findings highlight the importance of protective factors for the psychosocial adjustment of youth from lesbian mothers and gay fathers. Implications for social policy and intervention are discussed.

We introduce an evaluation of the first Assertive Community Treatment (ACT-C) program in Ontario for children aged 6–12 years. We share our experiences with piloting the adapted ACT-C model in an effort to support complex mental health challenges while reducing the demand for expensive institutionally based care.

This innovation, from a multidisciplinary team, is an open access, six-lesson online course on mindfulness to support feedback literacy. The course promotes resilience, emotional management, and learning improvement. Positive feedback indicates its potential to foster proactive engagement by students to seek feedback.