Examining the Challenges and Needs of Mental Health Service Users During Post-Discharge Transitions: Applying the Radical Doula Model as an Innovative Framework of Support

The proposed research seeks to identify the needs and challenges faced by mental health service users during post-discharge transitions. The research will be done in partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association – Calgary Region (CMHA) which strives to be a leader in reducing the impact of mental illness and addiction in community. Engaging with key stakeholders, the proposed project hopes to identify the strengths and gaps in service delivery when transitioning post-discharge from hospital to the CMHA’s Post Discharge Transition Program (PDTP) group homes and post-discharge from the group homes back into community. The CMHA has identified that currently there is inadequate capacity to support individuals during these critical transitions. The proposed research is thus needed to identify the service needs and challenges during post-discharge transition points, and the completion of this research project will establish the groundwork for future action. Specifically, this project will take an innovative approach by building on existing research around post-discharge transition supports to design a Radical Mental Health Doula (RMHD) framework for those transitioning from in-patient psychiatric treatment to community.

Faculty Supervisor:

Tiffany Boulton

Student:

Partner:

Canadian Mental Health Association (Calgary)

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Health and Related Sciences & Technology; Social Innovation

University:

University of Calgary

Program: