Evelyn Gibson and Yaz Wolfe
Hywel Dda University Health Board
Project Background:
Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) is common across the UK. ABI has short and long term consequences that lead to permanent disabilities that can reduce quality of life. There is a strong link with mental health difficulties that can impact engagement in healthcare interventions, including psychotherapy which often needs to be adapted.
The interventions available for people affected by ABI and mental health difficulties are fragmented and many individuals live with unmet support needs. Although self-perceived support needs may increase over time, service provision often decreases which leads to a healthcare provision ‘gap’ or inadequate provision. There is currently limited research available on the prevalence and experiences of individuals whose lives are affected by ABI and mental health difficulties in Wales.
Project Aim:
To improve access to psychological therapy for people with lived experience of ABI within the NHS.
What is A Bridge to Therapy?
Clinical Audit
123 client journeys through Integrated Psychological Therapy Services
Mental Health & Brain Injury Survey
6 Questions about Acquired Brain Injury and mental health support in Wales
Focus Groups and Thematic Analysis
8 participants using Exploratory Talk
Staff Training Development
Co-created content for training by carers, experts by experience and NHS professionals
Systematic Review
What psychological Interventions, adapted for adults with a history of acquired brain injury, are available and how effective are they?
Clinical Audit
The results suggested that 68.3% (84 people) had potential indicators of ABI that would have required further questioning at assessment at any point of their contact with mental health services to determine the possibility of an ABI and related consequence.
Thematic Analysis
“understanding that living with a brain injury is a is a hidden you know, there’s a lot of hidden challenges that we as a society put on other people. It’s not their problem. It’s our problem and I think the changes that we could make are so small for people to be able to just access the right help at the right time”
Focus group participant
Mental Health and ABI Survey
