CompletedInterventional

Narrative Experiences Online (NEON): impact of recorded mental health recovery stories on quality of life in people experiencing psychosis

The Narrative Experiences Online (NEON) trial aims to find out if personal stories of recovery can help people who have experienced psychosis. Recovery stories are shared online through videos, audio clips, and written text by people who have lived through mental health challenges. Participants will be placed into one of two groups by chance. One group gets immediate access to the secure NEON website with hundreds of uplifting and honest recovery stories. The other group continues their usual care and receives access to the website after one year. You can use the website as much or as little as you want from home. Four times during the year, you will be asked to fill in short online forms about your well-being. This will help researchers understand if sharing recovery experiences gives people hope and improves everyday life.

At a glance

Status

Completed

Sponsor

Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Enrolment target

683

Start

09 Mar 2020

Estimated completion

01 Mar 2021

Mental health

What is this study about?

Going through psychosis can feel frightening, confusing, and lonely. Psychosis affects how a person perceives the world around them, often involving seeing or hearing things that others do not, or holding strong beliefs that others do not share. While medical treatments and talking therapies can help, finding hope and connection is also a vital part of feeling better.

The NEON study investigates whether recorded recovery stories can make a positive difference to quality of life. These are real, unedited stories told in words, sound, or video by people who have faced mental health struggles. The study team wants to discover if hearing about other people's journeys can help you make sense of your own experiences, feel less isolated, and find new ways forward.

This is a randomised study funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). This means participants are split into two groups by a computer programme, like flipping a coin. One group gets access to the website straight away, while the other gets access after 12 months. Comparing both groups helps researchers see the true impact of the stories on everyday health and happiness.

Key takeaways

NEON tests whether real-life recovery stories can boost hope and well-being for people with psychosis.
The study is completely online, takes one year, and requires no clinic visits or new medications.
Half of the participants get immediate website access, while the other half get access after one year.
You only need to complete four short online questionnaires about your quality of life during the year.
Participation is entirely voluntary, and you can withdraw at any time without affecting your NHS care.

Who may be eligible?

You may be eligible to take part if you are aged 18 or older, live in England, and have experienced psychosis at some point in the last five years. You should also have felt some distress related to your mental health in the past six months.

You do not need a formal diagnosis, and you do not need to be currently seeing a mental health team or taking medication. However, you will need to be comfortable understanding English and able to use a smartphone, tablet, or computer to access the internet, either on your own or with help from a supporter.

People who live outside England or who find it difficult to give online consent will not be able to take part in 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.

I am aged 18 or over and live in England.
I have experienced psychosis within the last five years.
I have felt mental health-related distress during the past six months.
I can understand spoken and written English.
I can get online using a computer, smartphone, or tablet (on my own or with help).

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

Taking part in the study lasts for one year and is done entirely online, so you will not need to attend hospital appointments or visit a clinic. You will keep up with any usual treatments or support you currently receive. A computer will place you into one of two groups by chance. If you are in the first group, you will get immediate access to the NEON website, where you can explore hundreds of recovery stories at your own pace. If you are in the second group, you will get access to the website after one year. Throughout the 12 months, you will be asked to complete four online surveys about your mood, quality of life, and hopefulness. These questionnaires take a short time to fill out from your own phone or computer.

Potential risks and benefits

A key benefit of taking part is getting access to a wide collection of real recovery stories, which many people find comforting, inspiring, and hopeful. Your feedback will also help improve mental health care for others in the future. However, hearing personal accounts of distress, difficult times, or self-harm can occasionally feel upsetting. These feelings are usually brief, but it is important to take breaks if you need to. Taking part is completely voluntary. You can stop looking at the stories or leave the trial at any time without giving a reason, and your regular NHS medical care will never be affected.

Locations (12)

Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
City only
Nottingham, England
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Approximate
Worthing, England
Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Approximate
Lincoln, England
East London NHS Foundation Trust
Approximate
London, England
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
City only
Beckenham, England
Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Unverified
Derby, England
Devon Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Unverified
Exeter, England
North East London NHS Foundation Trust
Unverified
Rainham, England
Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust
Unverified
Oxford, England
Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust
Unverified
Leicester, England
Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Unverified
Bodmin, England
Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Unverified
Bridgwater, England

Common questions

Do I have to take any new medications in this trial?

No. This study does not involve any drugs, injections, or clinical tests. You will simply carry on with your usual routine and healthcare.

Do I need to visit a clinic or hospital?

No. Everything takes place online. You can view the stories and complete the questionnaires at home on your phone, tablet, or computer.

What happens if a story upsets me?

You are always in control. You can stop reading, listening, or watching at any moment. The study team also provides contact details for support services if you need to talk to someone.

Will my doctors or care team see my answers?

No. Your survey responses are kept confidential by the university research team and are not shared with your GP or mental health team.

What if I get put into the delayed access group?

If you are in the second group, you will still get full access to the NEON website and all its recovery stories after your 12-month study period ends.

How to find out more

Stefan Rennick-Egglestone

stefan.egglestone@nottingham.ac.uk +44 (0)115 82 30926 Official trial record

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