Solutions for Wellness: Results of a Manualized Psychoeducational Program for Adults with Psychiatric Disorders

Objective: The growing problem of premature death in people with serious mental illness is a critical call to action. Fewresources exist that can help integrate physical health into behavioral health treatment. This study examined the effectiveness of amanualized, psychoeducational wellness toolkit called the Solutions for Wellness (SFW). The study aimed to examine whether mental health consumers who volunteered to participate in an intensive group intervention with the SFW program increased knowledge about wellness and changes in attitudes/intentions to pursue healthier lifestyle choices. Methods: Thirty-four participants with mental illness participated in an intensive 10-weekmanualized groupwellness program. The primary outcomemeasureswere change in knowledge and attitudes/intentions. Secondary outcomes were change in body mass index (BMI), weight, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, pulse, waist circumference, hope, and clinician rating of clinical status. Pre-post changes in several of these variables were compared with a group of 31 participants who did not receive the intervention. Blood pressure, pulse, and waist circumference were collected only in the intervention group. Results: 26 participants (76%) completed the program and attended 47% of sessions. Using an intent-to-treat analysis, statistically significant pre-post improvements in knowledge (p = .001), attitudes (p = .007), BMI (p = .0066), weight (p = .0079), systolic blood pressure (p = .006), diastolic blood pressure (p = .024), and waist circumference (p = .0007) were observed. Conclusions: Compared with a group of participants who did not receive the intervention, the intervention group evidenced statistically significant improvement in knowledge about and attitudes/intentions toward making healthier lifestyle choices, weight, and BMI. In contrast, the group of participants who did not receive the intervention did not show any improvement in knowledge or attitudes, and they gained weight. In addition, the intervention group also evidenced statistically significant improvement in waist circumference and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Randomized, controlled clinical trials of this intervention are needed.