ABSTRACT
Individuals with severe mental illness (SMI) have significant health disparities. Wellness services embedded in community
mental health organizations could lessen these disparities. This case study illustrates the integration of the Diabetes Prevention
Program (DPP) lifestyle intervention into a community mental health organization. The Diffusion of Innovations Theory was
used as a model for integration, which included a collaboration between researchers and the organization and qualitative work,
culminating in a small pilot of the DPP led by peer specialists to test the feasibility of the DPP in this setting. Fourteen
individuals with SMI participated in the 19-week intervention. Three dropped out, but the remaining 11 demonstrated 92% attendance.
Weight loss was minimal, but the participants reported benefit and showed continued interest in the intervention. The use
of a peer-led DPP in a community mental health organization is feasible and warrants further investigation to demonstrate
efficacy.
mental health organizations could lessen these disparities. This case study illustrates the integration of the Diabetes Prevention
Program (DPP) lifestyle intervention into a community mental health organization. The Diffusion of Innovations Theory was
used as a model for integration, which included a collaboration between researchers and the organization and qualitative work,
culminating in a small pilot of the DPP led by peer specialists to test the feasibility of the DPP in this setting. Fourteen
individuals with SMI participated in the 19-week intervention. Three dropped out, but the remaining 11 demonstrated 92% attendance.
Weight loss was minimal, but the participants reported benefit and showed continued interest in the intervention. The use
of a peer-led DPP in a community mental health organization is feasible and warrants further investigation to demonstrate
efficacy.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-8
- DOI 10.1007/s13142-011-0053-z
- Authors
- Kristin L Schneider, Department of Medicine, Division of Preventive and Behavioral Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 55 Lake Avenue North, Worcester, MA 01655–0002, USA
- J Cherry Sullivan, ServiceNet, 129 King St., Northampton, MA 01060, USA
- Sherry L Pagoto, Department of Medicine, Division of Preventive and Behavioral Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 55 Lake Avenue North, Worcester, MA 01655–0002, USA
- Journal Translational Behavioral Medicine
- Online ISSN 1613-9860
- Print ISSN 1869-6716