Activity, Education and Support Groups For Inpatients in Mental Health and Substance Use Services

Introduction

This is a survey undertaken by the Family/Client Support and Involvement Coordinator, Acute Mental Health and Substance Use Services, at Vancouver General Hospital.

Have you ever spent time as an inpatient in an "acute" hospital for mental health or substance use issues? Or have you supported someone who fits that description? (Here, we define "acute inpatient" as someone who is admitted to the hospital for treatment of 3-60 overnight stays.)

If so, we’d like to know your opinion and preferences about activity groups in those places. What groups do you think are most helpful? Which ones are not that important?

We have divided these groups into five areas – support/discussion; peer-led; social; wellness/fitness; and psychoeducational.

When you answer the questions, please think about your own experience but also that of other patients you may have observed. For example, you may not have needed a smoking cessation group, but perhaps you have observed that a lot of other people benefitted from it. What’s important here is to think about your observations, not what you think should be useful – but what you have actually seen to be useful. You will have a chance to add ideas for a "wishlist" at the end of this survey.

Your answers are completely confidential.

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* 1. Support and discussion groups

These groups encourage participants to exchange ideas and support each other. They are usually led by trained facilitators who help participants talk to each other in a productive and focused way.

From your experience and observing those around you, how useful do you think these groups would be in an inpatient unit?

	Very useful	Useful	Somewhat useful	Not useful	N/A
Addiction support (non AA/NA)	Addiction support (non AA/NA) Very useful	Addiction support (non AA/NA) Useful	Addiction support (non AA/NA) Somewhat useful	Addiction support (non AA/NA) Not useful	Addiction support (non AA/NA) N/A
Smoking cessation support group	Smoking cessation support group Very useful	Smoking cessation support group Useful	Smoking cessation support group Somewhat useful	Smoking cessation support group Not useful	Smoking cessation support group N/A
Community Council or Residents’ Council to discuss patients’ needs relating to staying in a hospital ward	Community Council or Residents’ Council to discuss patients’ needs relating to staying in a hospital ward Very useful	Community Council or Residents’ Council to discuss patients’ needs relating to staying in a hospital ward Useful	Community Council or Residents’ Council to discuss patients’ needs relating to staying in a hospital ward Somewhat useful	Community Council or Residents’ Council to discuss patients’ needs relating to staying in a hospital ward Not useful	Community Council or Residents’ Council to discuss patients’ needs relating to staying in a hospital ward N/A
Art discussion	Art discussion Very useful	Art discussion Useful	Art discussion Somewhat useful	Art discussion Not useful	Art discussion N/A
Spirituality	Spirituality Very useful	Spirituality Useful	Spirituality Somewhat useful	Spirituality Not useful	Spirituality N/A
Daily check-in	Daily check-in Very useful	Daily check-in Useful	Daily check-in Somewhat useful	Daily check-in Not useful	Daily check-in N/A

Are there any groups of this type that you haven't experienced or observed but think would be highly beneficial? They could be from the list above or anything else.

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* 2. Peer-led groups

These groups encourage participants to exchange ideas and support each other, and model a "grassroots" approach, showing that there is hope for recovery and successful management of mental health and/or substance use concerns. They are sometimes led by trained peer facilitators, and sometimes led cooperatively by participants. Peer facilitators are people who have learned from their experience dealing effectively with mental health and/or substance use issues.

From your experience and observing those around you, how useful do you think these groups would be in an inpatient unit?

	Very useful	Useful	Somewhat useful	Not useful	N/A
Alcoholics Anonymous	Alcoholics Anonymous Very useful	Alcoholics Anonymous Useful	Alcoholics Anonymous Somewhat useful	Alcoholics Anonymous Not useful	Alcoholics Anonymous N/A
Narcotics Anonymous	Narcotics Anonymous Very useful	Narcotics Anonymous Useful	Narcotics Anonymous Somewhat useful	Narcotics Anonymous Not useful	Narcotics Anonymous N/A
WRAP (Peer-led guidance through creating a personal Wellness Recovery Action Plan)	WRAP (Peer-led guidance through creating a personal Wellness Recovery Action Plan) Very useful	WRAP (Peer-led guidance through creating a personal Wellness Recovery Action Plan) Useful	WRAP (Peer-led guidance through creating a personal Wellness Recovery Action Plan) Somewhat useful	WRAP (Peer-led guidance through creating a personal Wellness Recovery Action Plan) Not useful	WRAP (Peer-led guidance through creating a personal Wellness Recovery Action Plan) N/A
Peer-led general education/information on mental illness/substance use	Peer-led general education/information on mental illness/substance use Very useful	Peer-led general education/information on mental illness/substance use Useful	Peer-led general education/information on mental illness/substance use Somewhat useful	Peer-led general education/information on mental illness/substance use Not useful	Peer-led general education/information on mental illness/substance use N/A
Peer-led information on understanding and navigating through the mental health/addiction "system"	Peer-led information on understanding and navigating through the mental health/addiction "system" Very useful	Peer-led information on understanding and navigating through the mental health/addiction "system" Useful	Peer-led information on understanding and navigating through the mental health/addiction "system" Somewhat useful	Peer-led information on understanding and navigating through the mental health/addiction "system" Not useful	Peer-led information on understanding and navigating through the mental health/addiction "system" N/A
General peer-led support group while in hositpal	General peer-led support group while in hositpal Very useful	General peer-led support group while in hositpal Useful	General peer-led support group while in hositpal Somewhat useful	General peer-led support group while in hositpal Not useful	General peer-led support group while in hositpal N/A

Are there any groups of this type that you haven't experienced or observed but think would be highly beneficial? They could be from the list above or anything else.

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* 3. Social Groups

These groups allow and encourage participants to meet socially They may or may not have facilitators.

From your experience and observing those around you, how useful do you think these groups would be in an inpatient unit?

	Very Useful	Useful	Somewhat Useful	Not Useful	N/A
Just Socializing (sometimes called “Social” or “Coffee” groups) – socializing without any particular topic	Just Socializing (sometimes called “Social” or “Coffee” groups) – socializing without any particular topic Very Useful	Just Socializing (sometimes called “Social” or “Coffee” groups) – socializing without any particular topic Useful	Just Socializing (sometimes called “Social” or “Coffee” groups) – socializing without any particular topic Somewhat Useful	Just Socializing (sometimes called “Social” or “Coffee” groups) – socializing without any particular topic Not Useful	Just Socializing (sometimes called “Social” or “Coffee” groups) – socializing without any particular topic N/A
Dances	Dances Very Useful	Dances Useful	Dances Somewhat Useful	Dances Not Useful	Dances N/A
Seasonal events – Christmas, Summer BBQs, etc.	Seasonal events – Christmas, Summer BBQs, etc. Very Useful	Seasonal events – Christmas, Summer BBQs, etc. Useful	Seasonal events – Christmas, Summer BBQs, etc. Somewhat Useful	Seasonal events – Christmas, Summer BBQs, etc. Not Useful	Seasonal events – Christmas, Summer BBQs, etc. N/A
Group Walk	Group Walk Very Useful	Group Walk Useful	Group Walk Somewhat Useful	Group Walk Not Useful	Group Walk N/A
Self Care Spa	Self Care Spa Very Useful	Self Care Spa Useful	Self Care Spa Somewhat Useful	Self Care Spa Not Useful	Self Care Spa N/A
Music Jam	Music Jam Very Useful	Music Jam Useful	Music Jam Somewhat Useful	Music Jam Not Useful	Music Jam N/A
Singalongs	Singalongs Very Useful	Singalongs Useful	Singalongs Somewhat Useful	Singalongs Not Useful	Singalongs N/A
Drum circle	Drum circle Very Useful	Drum circle Useful	Drum circle Somewhat Useful	Drum circle Not Useful	Drum circle N/A
Karaoke	Karaoke Very Useful	Karaoke Useful	Karaoke Somewhat Useful	Karaoke Not Useful	Karaoke N/A
Crafts	Crafts Very Useful	Crafts Useful	Crafts Somewhat Useful	Crafts Not Useful	Crafts N/A
Ladies’ group	Ladies’ group Very Useful	Ladies’ group Useful	Ladies’ group Somewhat Useful	Ladies’ group Not Useful	Ladies’ group N/A
Men’s group	Men’s group Very Useful	Men’s group Useful	Men’s group Somewhat Useful	Men’s group Not Useful	Men’s group N/A
Bingo	Bingo Very Useful	Bingo Useful	Bingo Somewhat Useful	Bingo Not Useful	Bingo N/A
Board and other games	Board and other games Very Useful	Board and other games Useful	Board and other games Somewhat Useful	Board and other games Not Useful	Board and other games N/A

Are there any groups of this type that you haven't experienced or observed but think would be highly beneficial? They could be from the list above or anything else.

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* 4. Fitness / Activity / Wellness

These groups help participants start or maintain health and wellness regimes. Most of these groups have facilitators trained in rehabilitation or in the area they teach.

From your experience and observing those around you, how useful do you think these groups would be in an inpatient unit?

	Very useful	Useful	Somewhat useful	Not useful	N/A
Group Walk	Group Walk Very useful	Group Walk Useful	Group Walk Somewhat useful	Group Walk Not useful	Group Walk N/A
Gardening	Gardening Very useful	Gardening Useful	Gardening Somewhat useful	Gardening Not useful	Gardening N/A
Relaxation	Relaxation Very useful	Relaxation Useful	Relaxation Somewhat useful	Relaxation Not useful	Relaxation N/A
Yoga	Yoga Very useful	Yoga Useful	Yoga Somewhat useful	Yoga Not useful	Yoga N/A
Mindfulness	Mindfulness Very useful	Mindfulness Useful	Mindfulness Somewhat useful	Mindfulness Not useful	Mindfulness N/A
Tai Chi	Tai Chi Very useful	Tai Chi Useful	Tai Chi Somewhat useful	Tai Chi Not useful	Tai Chi N/A
Fitness (general)	Fitness (general) Very useful	Fitness (general) Useful	Fitness (general) Somewhat useful	Fitness (general) Not useful	Fitness (general) N/A
Gym time	Gym time Very useful	Gym time Useful	Gym time Somewhat useful	Gym time Not useful	Gym time N/A
Self Care Spa	Self Care Spa Very useful	Self Care Spa Useful	Self Care Spa Somewhat useful	Self Care Spa Not useful	Self Care Spa N/A
Nutrition	Nutrition Very useful	Nutrition Useful	Nutrition Somewhat useful	Nutrition Not useful	Nutrition N/A
Insomnia / Sleep Hygiene	Insomnia / Sleep Hygiene Very useful	Insomnia / Sleep Hygiene Useful	Insomnia / Sleep Hygiene Somewhat useful	Insomnia / Sleep Hygiene Not useful	Insomnia / Sleep Hygiene N/A
Music therapy	Music therapy Very useful	Music therapy Useful	Music therapy Somewhat useful	Music therapy Not useful	Music therapy N/A
Chronic pain management	Chronic pain management Very useful	Chronic pain management Useful	Chronic pain management Somewhat useful	Chronic pain management Not useful	Chronic pain management N/A
Healthy Cooking	Healthy Cooking Very useful	Healthy Cooking Useful	Healthy Cooking Somewhat useful	Healthy Cooking Not useful	Healthy Cooking N/A

Are there any groups of this type that you haven't experienced or observed but think would be highly beneficial? They could be from the list above or anything else.

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* 5. Psychoeducational

These groups give information about mental health and addiction issues and offer participants coping strategies, often involving cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). They are usually facilitated by mental health or rehabilitation professionals

From your experience and observing those around you, how useful do you think these groups would be in an inpatient unit?

	Very Useful	Useful	Somewhat Useful	Not Useful	N/A
General addiction education/information	General addiction education/information Very Useful	General addiction education/information Useful	General addiction education/information Somewhat Useful	General addiction education/information Not Useful	General addiction education/information N/A
Overdose education	Overdose education Very Useful	Overdose education Useful	Overdose education Somewhat Useful	Overdose education Not Useful	Overdose education N/A
Managing cravings	Managing cravings Very Useful	Managing cravings Useful	Managing cravings Somewhat Useful	Managing cravings Not Useful	Managing cravings N/A
Dealing with difficult situations (“Distress Tolerance and Safety Planning”)	Dealing with difficult situations (“Distress Tolerance and Safety Planning”) Very Useful	Dealing with difficult situations (“Distress Tolerance and Safety Planning”) Useful	Dealing with difficult situations (“Distress Tolerance and Safety Planning”) Somewhat Useful	Dealing with difficult situations (“Distress Tolerance and Safety Planning”) Not Useful	Dealing with difficult situations (“Distress Tolerance and Safety Planning”) N/A
Healthy Thinking (based on Cognitive Behaviour Therapy or CBT)	Healthy Thinking (based on Cognitive Behaviour Therapy or CBT) Very Useful	Healthy Thinking (based on Cognitive Behaviour Therapy or CBT) Useful	Healthy Thinking (based on Cognitive Behaviour Therapy or CBT) Somewhat Useful	Healthy Thinking (based on Cognitive Behaviour Therapy or CBT) Not Useful	Healthy Thinking (based on Cognitive Behaviour Therapy or CBT) N/A
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for psychosis	Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for psychosis Very Useful	Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for psychosis Useful	Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for psychosis Somewhat Useful	Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for psychosis Not Useful	Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for psychosis N/A
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for depression	Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for depression Very Useful	Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for depression Useful	Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for depression Somewhat Useful	Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for depression Not Useful	Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for depression N/A
Cognitive remediation (improves attention/concentration, memory, language, analytical and planning abilities)	Cognitive remediation (improves attention/concentration, memory, language, analytical and planning abilities) Very Useful	Cognitive remediation (improves attention/concentration, memory, language, analytical and planning abilities) Useful	Cognitive remediation (improves attention/concentration, memory, language, analytical and planning abilities) Somewhat Useful	Cognitive remediation (improves attention/concentration, memory, language, analytical and planning abilities) Not Useful	Cognitive remediation (improves attention/concentration, memory, language, analytical and planning abilities) N/A
Anger management	Anger management Very Useful	Anger management Useful	Anger management Somewhat Useful	Anger management Not Useful	Anger management N/A
Daily planning	Daily planning Very Useful	Daily planning Useful	Daily planning Somewhat Useful	Daily planning Not Useful	Daily planning N/A
Life skills / Community Living Skills	Life skills / Community Living Skills Very Useful	Life skills / Community Living Skills Useful	Life skills / Community Living Skills Somewhat Useful	Life skills / Community Living Skills Not Useful	Life skills / Community Living Skills N/A
Relationships	Relationships Very Useful	Relationships Useful	Relationships Somewhat Useful	Relationships Not Useful	Relationships N/A
Budgeting	Budgeting Very Useful	Budgeting Useful	Budgeting Somewhat Useful	Budgeting Not Useful	Budgeting N/A
Insomnia	Insomnia Very Useful	Insomnia Useful	Insomnia Somewhat Useful	Insomnia Not Useful	Insomnia N/A
Vocational	Vocational Very Useful	Vocational Useful	Vocational Somewhat Useful	Vocational Not Useful	Vocational N/A
Adult literacy / academics (for people with lower educational levels	Adult literacy / academics (for people with lower educational levels Very Useful	Adult literacy / academics (for people with lower educational levels Useful	Adult literacy / academics (for people with lower educational levels Somewhat Useful	Adult literacy / academics (for people with lower educational levels Not Useful	Adult literacy / academics (for people with lower educational levels N/A
Discharge planning	Discharge planning Very Useful	Discharge planning Useful	Discharge planning Somewhat Useful	Discharge planning Not Useful	Discharge planning N/A
Medication management	Medication management Very Useful	Medication management Useful	Medication management Somewhat Useful	Medication management Not Useful	Medication management N/A
Chronic pain management	Chronic pain management Very Useful	Chronic pain management Useful	Chronic pain management Somewhat Useful	Chronic pain management Not Useful	Chronic pain management N/A

Are there any groups of this type that you haven't experienced or observed but think would be highly beneficial? They could be from the list above or anything else.

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* 6. Are you a person with your own lived experience, are you a supporter, or both?

Own lived experience

Supporter

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* 7. Do you have any additional comments, or groups you'd like to recommend?

Thank you for responding to this survey. If you have any questions or comments, please contact Isabella Mori, Family/Client Support and Involvement Coordinator, at isabella.mori@vch.ca.

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* 3. Social GroupsThese groups allow and encourage participants to meet socially They may or may not have facilitators.From your experience and observing those around you, how useful do you think these groups would be in an inpatient unit?

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* 6. Are you a person with your own lived experience, are you a supporter, or both?

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* 7. Do you have any additional comments, or groups you'd like to recommend?

* 3. Social Groups

These groups allow and encourage participants to meet socially They may or may not have facilitators.

From your experience and observing those around you, how useful do you think these groups would be in an inpatient unit?