Recommended Reading: Evaluation Of A Community Based Peer Support Program For Survivors Of Child Abuse Shows Significant Improvements In The Mental Health Of Program Participants

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By May 27, 2015 No Comments

Authors: Christine Edwards and Liz Mullinar, NSW

Year: 2010

Event: 2010 TheMHS Conference

Subject: ACROSS THE LIFESPAN,COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH, Healing Trauma & Abuse

Type of resource: Conference Presentations and Papers

ISBN: 9780975765364

Abstract: Heal for Life Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation based at Quorrobolong NSW. It aims to provide safe, affordable places for survivors of child abuse to heal from childhood trauma. A Healing Week involves a five-day program under the leadership of a highly trained facilitator who has access to two supervising psychologists and is supported by 3 trained carers. Each team works within a non-hierarchical, peer support model. In 2008-2009 an independent evaluation of the Heal for Life Program was undertaken. The evaluation used pre and post program validated measures including The Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, the Short Form (36) Health Survey, the Abbreviated Dyadic Adjustment Scale and The Parenting Scale, to assess changes in the psychological well being of 98 program participants. Improvements in participants’ scores were found on all measures, with the percentage of respondents who were likely to have a severe mental health disorder reducing significantly from 64% to 35%.

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