intervention framework

the Relief intervention framework

Maintaining high standards in service delivery while ensuring a safe and compliant environment within the organization's scope of action is the main objective of the Relief Intervention Framework. As a commitment to the individuals receiving assistance, this framework revolves around four fundamental pillars:

1. Validated Approach
2. Structured Pathway
3. Supervised Processes
4. Complaints Mechanism and Resources

validated approach

Self-Management Approach

The self-management approach does not replace psychotherapy or medical treatment but is part of the best practices recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministry of Health and Social Services for addressing mood and anxiety disorders.

By supporting self-management, we empower individuals to take control of their health by helping them implement a wide range of strategies to improve their quality of life and mental well-being. The idea is to promote participant empowerment and efficient use of available resources while taking a proactive role in their recovery.

Individualized Support for Self-Management

The development process of this service, based on rigorous scientific foundations, has been published in a peer-reviewed¹ scientific journal. The intervention was developed through a co-design approach that combines scientific knowledge, professional expertise, and experiential knowledge. It was part of a research project funded by an independent government grant agency, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council. The research was led by Simon Coulombe, PhD in psychology, associate professor, holder of the Relief Research Chair in Mental Health, Self-Management, and Work (Université Laval), in collaboration with researchers and professionals in psychology (Marc-Simon Drouin, PhD, Université du Québec à Montréal) and psychoeducation (Aude Villatte, Université du Québec en Outaouais). The intervention content is based on self-management materials validated by an interdisciplinary expert committee.

[1] Sauvé, C., Mercuri, M., Coulombe, S., Beaudin, A., Villatte, A., Drouin, M-A., Provost, J-R. (sous presse). Exploration du rôle, des bienfaits et des défis du co-design dans la création de services d'accompagnement à l'autogestion en santé mentale au Québec : une réflexion appuyée sur la littérature et un projet en cours (Revue Santé Mentale Québec).

 

Self-Management Workshops

Our workshops have been developed and validated in partnership with a research team in psychology to ensure they are based on the best psychoeducational practices related to depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder. This process includes an extensive review of scientific literature, pilot groups followed by interviews with participants, and a multidisciplinary expert committee reviewing the entire content before reaching the final versions.

Structured Pathway

Whether it's a support group, a group self-management workshop, or individualized support for self-management, Relief's support is always well-defined by its internal standards. It respects the areas of expertise and excludes any acts reserved for healthcare professionals.

Relief's approach is a model that emphasizes the integration of knowledge, including scientific knowledge, professional expertise, and experiential knowledge. It acknowledges that traditional knowledge and the experiences of individuals living with mental health issues are valuable and should be integrated into the understanding and treating mental disorders. Relief's approach promotes close collaboration among mental health professionals, individuals with mental health conditions, their families, and community members.

The framework established by Relief aims to ensure protection for all individuals consulting the organization. In line with this approach, the work of Relief's mental health workers and facilitators systematically excludes acts of diagnosis or therapeutic evaluation, therapeutic interpretation, or any other intervention specific to psychotherapy or reserved for healthcare professionals.

supervised processes

Clinical Direction and Coordination at Relief

In collaboration with the clinical coordinator, the clinical director oversees the planning, organization, direction, and supervision of the mental health workers team and the services provided. They ensure the recruitment of mental health workers based on rigorous eligibility criteria (education, experience, personal and professional background) and monitor the service delivery by the team, as well as its development and continuous training.

The role of Service Delivery Advisory Supervisor

The Service Delivery Advisory Supervisor at Relief is a professional member of a recognized regulatory body whose role is to provide an additional level of supervision and additional follow-up on the application of processes, thus ensuring compliance with Relief's commitment to individuals receiving assistance and the handling of complaints in this regard. By relying on clinical commitments and guidelines governing the provision of Relief's various services, the Service Delivery Advisory Supervisor plays a complementary role in validating the participant's entire pathway.

As Advisory Supervisor, they confirm that the clinical processes align with the established pathway and regularly monitor the implemented work methods.

Mental Health Workers Team

Relief's mental health workers hold at least a bachelor's or master's degree in a field related to counselling (psychology, social work, psychoeducation, or other appropriate university education) or an accredited peer support intervention training offered by Université Laval in collaboration with the Peer Support Network Program of the Association québécoise pour la réadaptation psychosociale. In addition, the mental health workers in our team have solid experience with mental disorders and individual and group support.

mechanism and specific resources for handling complains 

Furthermore, in collaboration with the clinical direction, the Service Delivery Advisory Supervisor is responsible for receiving complaints related to the clinical approach and providing a specific mechanism for reporting and addressing these complaints.

Anyone wishing to make a clinical complaint regarding the work of mental health workers or non-compliance with the current intervention framework can do so by directly emailing the following address: plaintescliniques@relief.ca.