An independent evaluation of a ground-breaking mental health programme recommends its further roll-out across Scotland.
The evaluation looked at the distress brief intervention (DBI) programme, which is hosted by the board on behalf of the Scottish Government.
There are two levels to the programme. Level one sees frontline colleagues in areas such emergency departments, police, ambulance service and primary care trained to ease a person’s distress. Where assessed as appropriate, and with the person’s agreement, they can then be referred to the DBI level two service, with the promise of support within 24-hours.
Level two is provided by commissioned and trained third sector staff who contact the person within 24-hours of referral and provides problem solving support and wellness and distress management planning.
The evaluation was undertaken by an evaluation consortium of the nursing midwifery and allied health professions research unit at the University of Stirling, ScotCen, the Mental Health Foundation and Glasgow Caledonian University.
Professor Edward Duncan from University of Stirling, who led the multi-agency evaluation consortium, said: “Our evaluation found that DBI has proven to be successful in offering support to a wide range of people in distress.
“The programme’s facilitation of effective and efficient working within, and between, various agencies is particularly commendable and was a key component of its overall success.”
Welcoming the findings, national DBI programme manager Kevin O’Neill, said: “The publication of this evaluation is a significant landmark for DBI. The key independent recommendation that DBI should be further implemented across Scotland offers significant weight in support of the Scottish Government’s existing commitment to embed DBI in all NHS Board areas by March 2024.
“The combination of compassionate response and practical support, which is at the heart of DBI, was found to be central in helping people understand their distress and reduce it.
“I want to thank all colleagues, organisations, partnerships and the DBI community for working together to develop and deliver DBI, while supporting and embracing the independent evaluation.
Professor Rory O’Connor from University of Glasgow’s institute of health and wellbeing, who led the DBI training and intervention development, said: “The findings of the evaluation are very welcome. The distress brief intervention programme is a world’s first; providing immediate, compassionate and practical support to people in distress.
“Ever since its initial implementation, we have heard from countless people in distress as well as from staff working at the frontline that the DBI is making a real difference to people’s lives.
“Therefore, it is incredibly rewarding to see that these early insights are confirmed by the evaluation and we are delighted to continue supporting the programme as it is embedded across Scotland.”
Kevin Stewart, Minister for Mental Wellbeing and Social Care, said: “I am pleased that this independent evaluation is confirming the hugely successful role the distress brief intervention programme plays in providing timely, compassionate support to people in emotional distress.
“I would like to thank all our partners involved in developing and providing this service and I look forward to working together to achieve our target of national coverage by March 2024.”
Picture: Kevin Stewart, Minister for Mental Wellbeing and Social Care
