Controlled clinical trial of a self-management program for people with mental illness in an adult mental health service – the Optimal Health Program (OHP)

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect and cost-effectiveness of a self-management intervention, delivered as part of routine care in an adult mental health service. METHOD: In a community mental health setting, routine care was compared with routine care plus a nine-session intervention (the Optimal Health Program) using a non-randomised controlled design. Adult (18-65 years) consumers of mental health services in the Australian Capital Territory were eligible for participation. RESULTS: The Optimal Health Program was associated with significant improvements in health and social functioning as measured by the Health of the Nation Outcome Scale (average change relative to control: -3. 17; 95% CI -4. 49 to -1. 84; P<0. 001). In addition, there was a reduction in hospital admissions in the treatment group (percentage of time in hospital reduced from 3. 20 to 0. 82; P=0. 07). This translated into a net cost saving of over AU6000 per participant per year (uncertainty range AU744 to AU12656). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows promising results for incorporating a self-management program into routine care to improve the health and social functioning of mental health consumers in a cost-effective manner.