Peer to Peer (P2P): Mental Health Interventions With Persons With Substance Use Disorders

This study provides substance use and mental health peer support services to address behavioral health disparities in rural areas. Specifically, the project aims to address persistent mental health symptoms, such as anxiety and depression, that become barriers to care for patients working towards long-term recovery from co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. Participants will be assessed and evaluated for opioid use disorder (OUD), social determinants of health (SDoH), and infectious diseases by a nurse practitioner and a social worker. A certified peer support specialist (CPSS) will provide additional support, connecting patients to sustainable mental health resources and implementing a modified version of the Friendship Bench intervention, which involves six weekly 45-minute problem-solving therapy sessions with the option to participate in six or more peer support sessions. The CPSS will follow the patient for up to 12 weeks.