IDD-MH Peer mentoring

Development and feasibility evaluation of a socially valid peer mentoring intervention for young adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities and mental health conditions

 

What is this project about?

We are developing a peer mentoring program for young adults with intellectual/developmental disability and co-occurring mental health conditions (IDD-MH).

Why is this project important?

  • Young adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities and co-occurring mental health
    conditions (IDD-MH) are at heightened risk for health and quality of life disparities, such as decreased community participation.
  • Young adults with IDD-MH need services, but there are many barriers. Some barriers include: lack of professional knowledge about providing care young adults with IDD-MH, long waitlists, and lack of services accessible via public transportation. Peer-delivered interventions, such as peer mentoring, may be one solution to these barriers.
  • Peer mentoring is a type of service where individuals with IDD-MH are trained to provide support and/or deliver interventions to other young adults with IDD-MH. Peer mentoring is considered a best practice in mental health intervention and consistently promotes positive outcomes for individuals with IDD.
  • There is no peer mentoring program for young adults with IDD-MH.

How are you developing the peer mentoring program?

  • We are working with a group of young adults with IDD-MH to develop the program. They will make sure that the program is accessible and interesting.
  • We are also conducting focus groups with mental health clinicians, transition specialists, and peer support specialists who work with people with IDD-MH.
  • If you are interested in being involved in this research, please click here.

What else are you doing in this study?

This is our study plan:

 

 

 

 

How can I get more information?

Contact Ariel Schwartz at aeschwar@bu.edu

This study is funded by the Deborah Munroe Noonan Memorial Research Fund and the American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine