Health Sciences
moreRESPECT: A Randomised controlled trial of a sexual health promotion intervention for people with severe mental illness delivered in community mental health settings.
Background
People with severe mental illness (SMI) have significant needs in terms of physical health compared to the general population. Like everyone else, positive sexual relationships are important for people with SMI, but this is rarely discussed in routine mental health care. Therefore, they can be unaware of important information such as where to get sexual health advice, how to reduce risk of sexually transmitted infections, contraceptive choices and finding relationships that are mutually respectful, not violent or abusive.
In a NIHR-funded feasibility study, this research team developed a 3-session support package that helped people with SMI to think about their own sexual health and provided useful information about how to improve their sexual health. Following the success of the feasibility study, this full trial will examine the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the intervention.
Aims
To assess whether a bespoke sexual health intervention designed for people with severe mental illness reduces unprotected sexual acts and is cost-effective.
Methods
Over 49 months this study aims to recruit 400 participants from National Health Service (NHS) community mental health teams across England and Scotland.
People aged 16 or over currently in treatment with the community mental health services diagnosed with a severe mental illness will be invited to participate.
People who agree to take part will be randomly allocated to either usual care (control arm) or usual care plus the moreRESPECT intervention (intervention arm). Data will be collected at baseline and then at 3-, 6-, 9- and 12 months post-randomisation. Interviews with a small group of participants will also be conducted at 6 months post-randomisation to find out how they found the support package, whether it worked better for some than others and in what circumstances.
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Funding
| Funders(s) |
National Institute of Health Research Health Technology Research Programme. |
|---|---|
| Start Date | July 2023 |
| End Date | June 2026 |
Members
YTU Team
- Jude Watson
- Samantha Brady
- Elizabeth Coleman
- Caroline Fairhurst
- Kerry Bell
- Mo Hammouda
- Laura Wiley
- Cathie Porter
External Members
- Prof Elizabeth Hughes (Edinburgh Napier University)
- Prof Sonia Johnson (UCL)
- Rachel Luby (East London NHS Foundation Trust)
- Elana Covshoff (Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust)
- Ceri Dare
- Charlotte Walker
Signposting
If you would like to talk to someone about your physical or mental health, there are different ways you can access information and support.
Mind
Can provide advice and support to empower people experiencing mental health problems. Phone: 0300 123 3393. 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday (except for bank holidays). Email: info@mind.org.uk. Further information can be found on the Mind website.
NHS
Can connect you to the health information and services that you may need. Phone: 111, or contact your GP. Further information can be found on the NHS website.
For help finding NHS sexual health services in your area further information can be found at the NHS Sexual Health Service Search.
Further information and advice about sexual health including contraception and sexually transmitted infections can be found at the NHS Live-Well Sexual Health website.
Mental Health Foundation
Mental Health Foundation works to help people understand, protect and sustain their mental health. Further information can be found on the Mental Health website.
Samaritans
For anyone who is struggling to cope, and who needs someone to listen without judgement or pressure. Phone: 116 123. Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Email contact: jo@samaritans.org. Further information can be found on the Samaritans website.
Family Planning Association
Provides unbiased and up-to-date information on Relationships and Sex Education, Sexual and Reproductive Health, and Postnatal Health and Wellbeing. Phone: 0300 123 7123 open Mon-Fri, 9am-8pm; Saturday and Sunday, 11am-4pm. Further information can be found on the FPA website.
