This study is testing the efficacy of a brief intervention delivered to adults with mental illness by trained health coaches, designed to help recipients engage in health and mental health self-management, while setting goals to return to an active life after major disruptions such as a pandemic. Adult clients of collaborating community mental health agencies are randomly assigned to the intervention plus services as usual, versus services as usual alone. They are assessed at baseline and 6 months later. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) models are used to assess the primary outcome of changes in mental and physical health, functioning, perceived competence for life self-management, and mental health recovery. Also examined are study condition differences in self-advocacy skills, access to services, and disruptions from COVID-19.
Hypothesis 1: Compared to services as usual (SAU), intervention recipients will report better health, well-being, and service use.
Hypothesis 2: Compared to SAU, intervention recipients will have more perceived competence and self-advocacy.
Hypothesis 3: Healthy ReStart recipients will report high levels of satisfaction with the intervention.
