Co-Production: Journey to Wellness Guide.

As rates of substance use and mental disorders continue to rise, individuals with mental health and substance use challenges and their supporters could benefit from practical, accessible, cost-effective, wellness-focused tools outlining simple daily strategies to promote long-term recovery. The current article describes such a tool, the Journey to Wellness Guide, based on the Wellness Model, and developed through a co-production process. Co-production refers to a process of research, service design, and educational materials development where people with lived experience of mental health and/or substance use challenges share decision-making power throughout all stages of production, including the sharing of results. The co-production process resulted in a well-received wellness tool and tip guides for personal use, supporting others, and use in a group context. The value of this tool for psychosocial nursing and behavioral health care worker self-care and practice is outlined. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, xx(x), xx-xx.].

A Welcoming Space to Manage Crisis: The Wellness Respite Program.

The need for behavioral health care prevention, treatment, and recovery supports, including crisis alternatives, has grown and is now receiving federal support through enhanced funding. When a person experiences severe emotional distress, crisis alternatives are a viable option instead of inpatient hospitalization to address the distress and restore balance. Peer respite programs are voluntary, short-term, crisis alternatives for people experiencing mental distress. Models have evolved in response to funding and regulatory requirements, yet research is limited. The current article describes a unique peer-led program, Wellness Respite, in operation for 7 years, including data from recent satisfaction surveys and the role of nurses in the program. Implications of a home-like, short-term crisis alternative and the role of the nurse are emphasized. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 60(11), 26-32.].

The importance of employment to workers with preexisting behavioral health disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: Little is known about the employment experiences of people with preexisting behavioral health conditions during the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, despite the recognized importance of work for this group. METHOD: Two hundred and seventy two adults with behavioral health conditions, recruited through statewide mental health networks in NJ and NY, completed an online survey in April-May 2020. Multivariable analysis examined the effects of sleep and dietary changes, COVID-19 exposure, anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-2), and depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-2) on employment status and job changes. Respondents' open-ended descriptions of pandemic-related changes in employment were analyzed using the constant comparative method. RESULTS: Two-thirds (65%) were employed, only 4% became unemployed, and 29% reported changes in their jobs as a result of the pandemic. In logistic regression analysis controlling for age, race, education and gender, workers were more likely than nonworkers to report altered eating and sleeping habits, but not greater anxiety or depression. However, those whose jobs changed were more likely to report COVID-19 exposure, altered sleep patterns, clinically significant anxiety symptoms, and both anxiety and depressive symptoms compared to those whose jobs had not changed. Qualitative analysis revealed work's positive impact (pride in job performance, using new skills, feeling safer working from home) and its negative effects (lifestyle disruption, worry about job security, isolation from coworkers). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: This is the first study to suggest the important role that work played for people with preexisting behavioral health disorders during the pandemic, with both positive and negative influences, and important implications for services and supports. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health and daily life of adults with behavioral health disorders.

People with behavioral health disorders may be particularly vulnerable to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, yet little is known about how they are faring. A mixed-methods, anonymous needs assessment was conducted to understand changes in the lives of adults with mental health and substance use disorders since the pandemic onset. A cross-sectional, online survey was completed by 272 adults in April and May 2020, recruited from statewide networks of community programs in New Jersey and New York. Measures included the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-2 to screen for depressive and anxiety disorders. Also assessed was the pandemic's impact on sleep and dietary patterns, exposure to COVID-19 infection, and access to health care and medications. Finally, respondents were asked to describe in their own words any changes in their lives since the pandemic began. Over one-third (35.1%) screened positive for generalized anxiety disorder and over one-quarter (29.6%) screened positive for major depressive disorder. The majority reported pandemic-related changes in eating and sleeping patterns and exposure to COVID-19 infection. Multivariable logistic regression analysis found that many changes attributed to the pandemic were positively and significantly associated with screening positive for anxiety and depressive disorders. Qualitative analysis confirmed these findings and identified participants' resilience stemming from social support, emotion management, and self-care. These results can inform the design of services that assist this population to bolster self-management skills and reestablish daily habits to improve their lives during and following the pandemic.