SHAPE - Supporting Healthcare Workers through Early Interventions

Health and social care workers often face high levels of stress, leading to mental health disorders like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and major depression.

This project focuses on evaluating and refining an evidence-based mental health intervention called SHAPE Recovery, specifically designed for these workers. SHAPE Recovery aims to be accessible, acceptable, and effective in reducing PTSD and major depression symptoms. Before the pandemic, it reduced PTSD rates by 50% in paramedics. During COVID-19, a pilot study achieved recovery rates of 91.5% for PTSD and 71.4% for major depression in UK healthcare workers in just 6 weeks.

This project includes a randomised controlled trial, cost-effectiveness analysis, and qualitative studies to understand barriers faced by ethnic minority workers. The findings will improve SHAPE Recovery, guide implementation, and make interventions more culturally sensitive. Ultimately, this project seeks to support the mental health of health and social care workers, benefiting both them and the quality of patient care.