Recruiting Participants?

Are you a researcher or work for a research institute seeking participants for a study of peer support workers and/or supervisors of peer support workers? If so, send email to academy.virtual.community@gmail.com so we can add your research study to the list.

Current Studies

Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation is Seeking Peer Specialists

Peer Support Specialists needed for a research study!
The Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation at Boston University is conducting a research study to support peer providers. The Center is developing and testing a coaching service called Coaching and Advancement for Peer Providers (CAPP). We need Peer Support Specialists (PSS) to participate in our study.

Who can participate?

People who are in a paid job as a Peer Support Specialist (PSS) providing support to other people with mental health challenges. PSS who:

Are employed at least 10 hours per week
Have worked for the past 6 months in a mental health program
Are experiencing stress because of challenges in the workplace

What does the study involve?

16 one-hour sessions of coaching over a 4 month period designed to help you with your job
Meeting online (through Zoom for example) with your coach
Filling out surveys 1 time before coaching starts and 3 additional times

You will have a 50/50 chance of getting a coach or having a 1-time meeting to give you information about challenges at work

Benefits
You may learn strategies to help make work less stressful.

Other information about this study

You will get $25 each time you fill out the surveys ($100 total for all 4 times)
Everything you share will be private—your supervisor and employer won’t know of your involvement unless you choose to tell them
Your participation is voluntary. You can stop at any time.

For a Flyer, click here. To learn more, contact Sally Rogers at erogers@bu.edu or 617-353-3549.

Mental Health/Cancer/Peer Support Study Seeking Participants

Have you experienced a cancer diagnosis, or supported someone through their cancer diagnosis and treatment as a peer supporter? If so, you might be someone we’d like to hear from. I’m working with some colleagues to learn about how people who’ve been involved in the behavioral health system are treated by medical providers, how they get useful information about cancer, and how they get emotional support. The project has been approved by the Institutional Review Board which is responsible for human subjects research at The University of Arizona, and the actual survey is completely anonymous. To see if you meet the criteria for this project and then answer some questions about your experience, click here: https://redcap.link/PEERS4CANCER. There will first be a single pre-screening survey question to detect if you are a real person or a computer bot. Seriously. You can also contact us by email at PEERS4CANCER@email.arizona.edu.

People who Smoke and Have a Mental Health Condition

Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Department of Psychiatry in New Brunswick is conducting an online survey to evaluate tobacco quitting barriers in smokers with mental health conditions. Eligibility Requirements: Volunteers must be smokers who are 18 years or older. Compensation: You will be compensated for your time ($20 gift card). Take the Survey.

Adults who Smoke and also Vape

Dr. Elias Klemperer at University of Vermont (Elias.Klemperer@med.uvm.edu) is looking for some help recruiting participants in a research study. Please pass along the following details as appropriate:

Researchers at the University of Vermont are recruiting adults under the age of 30 who smoke cigarettes and also vape e-cigarettes for a remote quit smoking study.
Eligible participants will be provided with quit smoking treatments for 3 months and answer weekly online surveys.
Participants who complete all of the study activities, will earn $343 in online gift cards.
Visit our website to learn more and find out if you are eligible: www.uvmquitsmokingstudy.org

Mental Health Needs of Latinx Adolesents

NYS OMH and the Suicide Prevention Center are seeking feedback on the mental health and wellness needs of Latina adolescents. Parents in Monroe, Montgomery, Suffolk or Rockland County are invited to participate in a research study and attend a virtual Focus Group session to provide feedback and input concerning the mental health needs of and barriers to care for Latina adolescents. Feedback will be used to identify needs and guide recommendations.

Sessions are expected to last 90 minutes. A $15 Amazon e-gift card will be provided.

Participant Criteria:

Must be 18 years of age or older
Parent of a Hispanic/Latina adolescent (between the ages of 13-18)
Live / work in Monroe, Montgomery, Suffolk or Rockland County
Speak English or Spanish

If you are interested in participating or have any questions, please contact: 518-402-1236

Click here for more information in English
Click here for more information in Spanish

Survey Seeks Respondents Who Are in Administrative/Leadership Positions in the Mental Health Field

If you are in an administrative/leadership position in the mental health arena, “the Group for the Advancement of Psychiatry (GAP) Committee on Psychiatric Administration and Leadership invites you to participate in the International Survey on Administrative Psychiatry. The survey has two purposes: 1. To identify the concerns and needs of mental health professionals/psychiatrists in administrative and leadership positions. 2. To determine training needs in administrative psychiatry. We ask you to complete this brief, [15- to 20-minute] questionnaire to help us in developing recommendations for action. We also want to let you know that, if you fill out this questionnaire, you permit the committee to use your anonymous data for scientific work.” Peer providers are included. For the survey, click here. (Courtesy of Oryx Cohen/The Key Update)

Many Research Studies Are Seeking Participants, Mad In America Reports

Mad in America recently posted an assortment of research studies that are looking for participants. The studies include International Online Survey of Members of Peer Support Groups About Their Experiences of Withdrawing From Antidepressants; Study on Psychosocial Disability Advocacy and Global Mental Health; University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine study: Experiences of inpatient psychiatric care among former patients; Dissertation research study: Spiritual/religious experience misdiagnosed as “mental disorder”; Have you had a diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder and decided to stop taking medication?; and others. For details and to participate, click here.

Past Studies (2021)

Impact of COVID-19 on the Peer Support Workforce of NYC

Dear Peer Support Worker Community,

The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s (DOHMH) Office of Consumer Affairs is requesting your participation in a survey on the impact of COVID-19 on the NYC Peer Support Workforce. Eligible participants must have been employed in a peer support worker title in New York City both before and during the pandemic.

Peer Support worker titles include but are not limited to peer specialist, peer advocate, youth peer, family peer, peer navigator, peer counselor, etc. who worked as a peer in order to complete the survey. If you agree to participate, you will be asked to complete an online survey. Your responses will help us improve policies and programming to better support the NYC Peer Support Workforce. This voluntary and confidential survey should take approximately 15 minutes to complete.

Please click here to access the survey: https://nycdohmh.surveymonkey.com/r/MHpeers

Upon completion, you can enter a drawing for a $100 gift card by selecting to participate. The winners will be randomly selected and notified by email.

Please share this survey with your NYC peer networks. If you have any questions regarding this survey, please contact us by email at oca@health.nyc.gov. If you have previously received an invitation to complete this survey, please only complete once.

Thank you in advance for taking the time to contribute to this important survey.

Sincerely,

The Office of Consumer Affairs NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene

Yale Study of COVID-19’s Mental Health Impact Seeks Focus Group Participants with Physical and/or Mental Health Challenges

A study at Yale University led by people with lived experience is recruiting individuals who live with physical and/or mental health challenges to talk about how their lives have changed since the COVID-19 pandemic started. “The Wisdom project: exploring the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of persons who experience adverse living conditions” is led by Larry Davidson, PhD, and Ana Florence, PhD. Ana is a Brazilian psychologist, activist, and postdoctoral associate, and Larry is Director of the Yale Program for Recovery and Community Health. If you live with mental and/or physical health challenges and would like to participate, you can email wisdomprojectyale@gmail.com or call 475-355-5393. “All focus groups will be held virtually, and a $50 e-gift card will be provided to each participant,” the researchers say. (Courtesy The Key Update)

Trade or Technical Career Graduates

Study seeking Individuals with mental health conditions who have graduated from trade or technical programs and are pursuing careers in technical fields. Also seeking input from family members and others who involved in career services, supported employment, supported education and vocational rehabilitation. — Flyer — Learn More

Peer Support in Higher Education Survey Seeks Respondents

“Peer support programs are growing on college campuses across the U.S. Mental Health America, Doors to Wellbeing, and the Temple University Collaborative on Community Inclusion want to better understand the availability of peer support in higher education as well as the experiences and needs of students accessing peer support programs…We hope to use this research to support the expansion of peer support in higher education, including developing a national database of peer support programs in higher education and documenting pressing issues in campus programs…You may also indicate if you are interested in having your school’s peer support program listed in a national database of peer support programs in higher education.” For more information and to complete the survey, click here.

Survey on Organizational Structure Seeks Input from Certified Peer Specialists

“Routine peer support has shown to increase individuals’ hope, sense of personal control, ability to make positive changes, and decreased psychiatric symptoms,” writes Dr. Karen Fortuna of the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth. “Despite these benefits, the organizational structure of peer support is not known. Dartmouth College is initiating a national survey of trained Certified Peer Specialists to help us understand the organizational structure of peer support services.” For more information and/or to participate in the 15-minute survey, click here. (Courtesy of The Key Update / Judene Shelley)

International Survey on Antipsychotic Medication Withdrawal Seeks Respondents

“Have you taken antipsychotic medication (such as Zyprexa, Seroquel, Abilify, Risperdal, Haldol, Geodon, Stelazine, and others), for any condition or diagnosis, with or without other medications? And did you ever stop taking antipsychotics, or try to stop taking them? Are you 18 years or older? If yes, you can take this survey about antipsychotic withdrawal and attempts to withdraw, including if you stopped taking them completely or if you tried to come off and still take them. The survey aims to improve mental health services by better understanding medication withdrawal. Lead researcher is Will Hall, a therapist and Ph.D. student who has himself taken antipsychotics. Service users/survivors/consumers from around the world also gave input. The study is sponsored by Maastricht University in the Netherlands; co-sponsors include the International Institute for Psychiatric Drug Withdrawal.

Questions? Please contact will.hall@maastrichtuniversity.nl.” ‘
For more information or to take the survey, click on www.antipsychoticwithdrawalsurvey.com

“Experiences with Hospitalization” Survey Seeks Participants

The purpose of this survey is to help us understand people’s lived experience with voluntary and involuntary treatment because of suicidal thoughts. It was created by people with lived experience…We are planning to use this information to facilitate discussions with suicidologists and the suicide prevention community about the impact of the use of these interventions, particularly within marginalized populations. We feel the voice of people with lived experience with these interventions has not had adequate opportunity to be heard, and hope that by completing this survey anonymously, people who have been most impacted can find a safe way to share their experiences. Please note that this is not a research project. For more information and/or to participate, click here. (Courtesy of Leah Harris/The Key Update)

Boston University / International Association of Peer Supporters Dear Peer Specialists,
My name is Martha Barbone and I am Interim Director of Operations for iNAPS. We are collaborating with Wallis Adams at the Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation at Boston University to conduct a study to better understand how the COVID-19/ Coronavirus pandemic has impacted the work and volunteer lives of peer specialists in the US. I am writing to invite all peer specialists (including peer supporters, peer support providers, peer coaches, etc.) to participate in the online survey that has been constructed by the Center and iNAPS. The survey will take approximately 15-30 minutes. Participation is completely voluntary and your answers will be anonymous. The survey information will be sent directly to the Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation for them to analyze and to describe the findings. We will report the findings back to you through email or a newsletter. If a participant would like to provide their email address, they can enter a random drawing where 10 participants will win a $50 gift certificate to Amazon. The Center will be randomly selecting 10 winners after the survey closes. If you are willing to help us out with this important research, please follow the link here: Peer Specialist COVID Survey iNAPS

Digital Peer Support Certification Study,
Thursday, July 30

About this Event

DISCLAIMER: By participating in this webinar, you are consenting to participate in the Digital Peer Support Certification Research Study. The purpose of this study is to examine the feasibility and effectiveness of the Digital Peer Support Certification training. You will be asked to complete a brief survey both prior to the training and at the training’s conclusion. We are interested in your honest feedback and opinions on Digital Peer Support. Thank you in advance for your participation.

Digital Peer Support Certification (short course):

This certification is designed to promote rapid uptake of digital peer support and is designed specifically to address the needs of the current COVID-19 crisis. This certification does not assess a person’s ability to use technology such as zoom, but rather incorporates the latest scientific evidence of digital peer support.

This 4-hour certification includes dyadic training on: Digital Communication Skills; How to Engage Service Users with Technology; Technology Literacy and Usage Skills; Bonding and Connection through Technology; Available Technologies; Privacy and Confidentiality; Monitoring Digital Peer Support; How to Address a Digital Crisis.

A knowledge test is presented at the end of the educational section that requires 80% correct answers to achieve the Digital Peer Support Certification (Short Course). | Learn More

TU Collaborative Invites You to Participate in Two Studies

Are you a peer support specialist who uses spirituality in your practice? If so, the Temple University Collaborative on Community Inclusion invites you to sign up for their study looking at psychological factors among peers who use spirituality and religion. “This study is completely remote, so contact us at tucollab@temple.edu if you’re interested.”

The second study, on social connections, invites “adults aged 18 to 65 who have a diagnosis of schizophrenia, major depression, or major affective disorder to participate.” This would involve one online survey now and another in a few months. Questions? Contact Shinichi.nagata@temple.edu or 215.204.9664.

To sign up and take the survey, click here.

“Mapping the Disability Experience: Share Your Stories”

“We invite you to draw a map of your neighborhood or environment to capture how the coronavirus pandemic has impacted (or not) your use and understanding of space,” researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago write. “This can include drawings/images of your home, your neighborhood, your city or beyond. Maps can come in many forms, styles, perspectives, and mediums. We are interested in collecting these maps to capture and better understand the experiences of disability and the environment during the coronavirus pandemic.”

Submissions will be accepted through June 30, 2020.

For more information or to participate, click here.

Questions? Contact Yochai Eisenberg, PhD, yeisen2@uic.edu (Courtesy of Elizabeth Stone)

Have You Ever Smoked, Drunk, Vaped, or Used Other Drugs? Or Do You Now? New Zealand COVID-19 Study Is Now Open to US Residents

“We want to find out how people are coping [during the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown],” writes the New Zealand-based Centre of Research Excellence: Indigenous Sovereignty & Smoking. “We are especially interested in adults aged 18 and over who, before lockdown, regularly drank alcohol, smoked or used other tobacco products, or other drugs. We also want to hear from people who have taken up smoking or drinking or other drugs during this frightening time.” The study has been approved by the US-based independent review board SolutionsIRB and is now open to US residents. “The study website includes helpful Coping in Lockdown tips, tips on Dealing with Cravings, and information on alternatives to smoking tobacco.”

To participate or for more information, click here.

How Are You Doing During the Pandemic?
Inquiring Researchers Want to Know.

“We”—fellow peers at the Collaborative Support Programs of New Jersey (CSPNJ)—“want to know how you are doing in these difficult times. For example, what has happened to your life and what kinds of help do you need? How have you helped others and how have they helped you? Thank you for answering these questions to help us understand your life right now!” The survey was designed by Peggy Swarbrick, PhD, OT, CPRP, who coordinates activities for the CSPNJ Wellness Institute. For more about Dr. Swarbrick, click here.

To take the survey, click here.

Supervision (2019/2020)

The University of South Florida and Magellan Health are currently conducting research to investigate the current landscape of peer support worker supervision in the United States (and US territories). If you are a peer support supervisor, or know someone that is, please consider participating in this survey!

https://usf.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2f2yWHnODes1jrT

Seclusion and Restraint (2019/2020)

National Coalition for Mental Health Recovery (NCMHR) aims to reduce restraint and seclusion practices in a variety of institutional settings in the United States. Many efforts have been made in this area for the past several decades, and some of them have led to significant changes in regulations and practice. NCMHR seeks input through two surveys to glean information about where we stand today, and how far we still have to go.

Your input is very important, and will help shape future discussions about this topic. The examples you give in the comment boxes will be especially important in this process of understanding current practices in these settings.

Survey 1: Personal Experience – If you have experienced restraint or seclusion, click here.
Survey 2: Organizational Experience – If you have worked for an organization that utilizes restraint or seclusion practices, click here.

If both apply, please fill out both surveys. Please pass this on to anyone else in your network with one or both of these experiences.” Although your responses will be anonymous, if you would like to be added to the NCMHR email list, you may include your email at the end of the survey.

Engagement in Therapy (2019/2020)

The study’s goal is to demonstrate the importance of recovery-oriented practices—including therapist empathy and a collaborative working alliance—and avoiding coercive practices on engagement in outpatient therapy.

If you are 18 years or older, have been diagnosed with a serious mental health condition that results in significant impairment in at least one life area—social relationships, ability to work, completing daily living activities, or meeting basic needs—and currently receive outpatient therapy, you are eligible to participate.

The online survey should take 20 to 30 minutes to complete.

Jason Mallonee is a doctoral candidate at the University of Pennsylvania. If you are interested in participating, please contact Jason at 808-639-3369 or mallonee@upenn.edu.

Exploring Factors Associated with Job Satisfaction

The study, “Exploring Factors Associated with Job Satisfaction among Peer Support Staff Working in Mental Health Treatment Settings,” is seeking participants. For eligibility and goals contact: (jedwards@gradcenter.cuny.edu), or click here:

The Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation at Boston University is conducting a study which aims to understand the experiences of individuals with a psychiatric condition with regard to engagement in activities to improve their physical health. To learn more, click here.

Leslie University and the Dept. of Veterans Affairs are seeking participants for a study on the role of work-hope, readiness, and job -search behavior among individuals living with mental health conditions. To learn more, click here.

University of South Florida’s Department of Psychiatry and at Magellan Health are seeking participants who currently supervise at least one peer support worker to complete an online survey about their training, supervision experiences and practices, and related views.. To learn more, click here.

Earlier Studies (2019)

For past studies, click here.