EOLAS Project: The design, delivery and evaluation of a peer and clinician led information programme on recovery and mental health diffi culties for users of services and family members

Abstract

The current emphasis within Irish mental health service policy is on promoting a partnership approach between users of services, families and practitioners within an ethos of recovery. One strategy to promote this philosophy is the development of peer led educational interventions for both users and family members. The literature suggests that peer led programmes can have positive outcomes in terms of enhanced knowledge, empowerment and support. To date, the majority of programmes evaluated tended to be developed by practitioners and delivered either through the use of a clinician or peer model. In addition, there is a dearth of studies evaluating collaborative peer and clinician led educational interventions for people experiencing mental health diffi culties or educational interventions developed in partnership with users and family members, which is the focus of the EOLAS project.