Not yet recruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

The ACCEPT Study: Improving the Process of Disclosing Adverse Childhood Experiences in Community Mental Health

The ACCEPT study wants to improve how mental health services help people who've had tough childhoods, such as abuse or bullying. These experiences often affect mental health for a long time. While talking about them can help, staff sometimes feel unsure how to discuss these topics or offer support. This research uses a special approach where service users (patients) and staff work together. They'll share their experiences, watch a film created from patient stories, and then develop new ideas. These ideas could include better training for staff, tools to guide conversations, changes to make clinics feel safer, or support groups for staff. The goal is to make it easier for people to share their past and get the right help, leading to better mental health for everyone.

At a glance

Status

Not yet recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

King's College London

Enrolment target

Start

01 Jun 2024

Estimated completion

01 Aug 2026

Adverse Childhood Experiences

What is this study about?

Many people who use mental health services have experienced difficult things during their childhood, like abuse, neglect, or severe bullying. These experiences, called Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), can have a lasting impact on mental health. While sharing these stories can be an important part of healing, mental health staff sometimes feel they don't have enough training or support to talk about childhood trauma, understand how to respond, or provide the best follow-up care.

This study, called ACCEPT, wants to discover better ways for staff to have these important conversations safely and effectively. We'll be using a method called "experience-based co-design." This means we'll work closely with both people who use mental health services and the staff who provide care. We'll gather their experiences through interviews and group chats to truly understand what works well and what could be improved.

Based on these shared experiences, we'll create a short film that highlights the patient's journey. This film will help staff and patients work together to pinpoint areas needing improvement and brainstorm potential solutions. Eventually, staff and patients will form teams to turn these ideas into practical changes for mental health services. These changes might include new training for staff, useful tools for doctors and nurses, improvements to make clinic spaces feel safer, or support groups where staff can reflect and learn from each other. The main aim is to improve the experience for people sharing their stories and help staff feel more confident and skilled in giving support, leading to better mental health for everyone involved.

Key takeaways

This study aims to make it easier for people with past childhood difficulties to get support from mental health services.
It involves both patients and staff working together to improve how sensitive conversations are handled.
The goal is to create better training, tools, and environments for discussing childhood trauma.
Potential benefits include improved patient experience and stronger staff confidence.
Participation means sharing your experiences and ideas to help shape future care.

Who may be eligible?

To be part of this study, you need to be at least 18 years old. We are looking for two main groups of people: service users (patients) and clinical staff.

If you are a service user, you must currently or have previously received support from NHS community mental health services in England, and you should have personal experience of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). You will also need to be able to understand the research and agree to take part.

If you are clinical staff, you must be 18 or over and currently or previously have worked as a frontline healthcare professional (like a nurse, occupational therapist, or social worker) in an NHS community mental health team. You also need to be employed by Sussex Partnership Foundation Trust and be able to understand the research and agree to take part. Doctors (medics) are not included in the staff group for this particular study.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Have you received or are you currently receiving support from NHS community mental health services in England?
Do you have personal experience of difficult childhood events?
Can you understand what the research involves and agree to take part?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

This is not a study where you will receive a new treatment or medication. Instead, your participation will involve sharing your experiences and ideas. If you are a service user or staff member, you might be asked to take part in in-depth interviews or group discussions. You may also be observed during your day-to-day interactions if you are staff. Later, you might be involved in workshops or meetings where you work with other service users and staff to develop ideas and create changes for mental health services. The exact time commitment will depend on which parts of the study you participate in, but it will involve sharing your thoughts and experiences over a period of time.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study could offer several benefits. For service users, it could lead to improved ways of sharing your experiences, better access to support for trauma, and stronger relationships with your mental health team, which may ultimately improve your mental health. For staff, it could boost your confidence and skills in discussing sensitive topics, leading to greater job satisfaction. The main risks are related to discussing potentially difficult or upsetting experiences; however, the research team will ensure a safe and supportive environment. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason, and this will not affect your care or employment.

Locations (2)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Sussex Partnership Foundation Trust
Verified postcode
Worthing, United Kingdom
IoPPN, Kings College London
Verified postcode
London, United Kingdom

Common questions

What are Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)?

These are difficult or traumatic events that can happen in childhood, like abuse, neglect, domestic violence, or severe bullying.

What does 'co-design' mean?

It means that people who use mental health services and the staff who work there will work together to create new and better ways of doing things.

Will I have to talk about my specific childhood trauma?

The study aims to understand how conversations about past trauma are managed. You would be asked about your experiences with disclosure, but you would only share what you feel comfortable with.

Will I get a new therapy by joining this study?

No, this study is about improving how services are delivered, not testing a new therapy. Your involvement helps shape future care.

How long will the study take?

The study involves different stages of collecting experiences and then working together. If you participate, your involvement would be over a period of time, rather than a single event.

How to find out more

Jessica K Sears, MSc

jessica.penney@kcl.ac.uk 07828041340 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.