Integrated Physical and Mental Health Self-management Compared to Chronic Disease Self-management to Improve Outcomes and Reduce Early Mortality Risk in Persons with Serious Mental Illness

Patient Centered Outcomes Institute (PCORI), PCS-2017C2-7724-IC

2/15/19 – 03/15/26

Sarah Pratt, PhD (Dartmouth Hitchcock Clinic)

Kelly A. Aschbrenner, PhD (Co-I)

People with lived experience of a mental illness, like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, die on average 11–30 years earlier than people who don’t. They are more likely to have health problems like heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, and lung disease than the rest of the population.

In this study, the research team is comparing the effectiveness of two different evidence-based self-management interventions: Integrated Illness Management and Recovery (I-IMR), and the Stanford Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP). These two programs are aimed at helping people with lived experience of mental illness manage their health problems. One program is led by a mental health worker. The other program is led by two peer support specialists, people with lived experience of mental illness who have learned to manage their long-term health problems.

People with lived experience of mental illness and their clinicians, such as doctors and nurses, can use the results of this study when considering ways for service users to better manage their health.