Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Formative Research
Date Submitted: Jul 19, 2021
Date Accepted: Feb 10, 2022
“eCPR Allows Us to Move Beyond What is Wrong with You or the Stamp of a Diagnosis”: A Qualitative Exploration of Emotional CPR Trainee Experiences
ABSTRACT
Background:
The United Nations has called for widescale community mental health psychoeducation, yet few programs currently exist. Emotional CPR (eCPR) is a community education and training program developed by individuals with a lived experience of mental health challenges or trauma. It is designed to provide community members with the skills and confidence to support someone experiencing mental health challenges.
Objective:
This qualitative study examined the user experience of diverse community members who engaged in eCPR training. It reviewed their attitudes towards the training as well as opportunities for improvement in future implementations of the training.
Methods:
eCPR training participants (N=31) were invited to participate in virtual focus groups between June 2020 and July 2020. Data were analyzed using the RADaR method that converts raw, textual data into concise data tables in order to develop a codebook and thematic analysis to identify common themes.
Results:
Themes identified when analyzing the data included the following: emotional holding and containment, training feedback, principles and practices of eCPR, implementation, connection in a digital environment, skills practice, and shared experiences.
Conclusions:
eCPR may benefit individuals from multiple, diverse demographics. It can enhance their ability to connect with another, to understand what it means to “be” with someone who is experiencing a mental health challenge or crisis, to accept their own emotions, and to be confident in being their most authentic self in both their work and personal lives. eCPR may answer the call of the United Nations by bringing opportunities for authenticity and healing to community settings. Exploring the outcomes of delivering eCPR in communities on individuals experiencing distress is an important next step.
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Copyright
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