Abstract
CHOICES is a consumer driven program for addressing tobacco in people with mental illness that employs mental health peer counselors. Since 2005, CHOICES has conducted over 298 community visits reaching more than 10,000 smokers with mental illness (about 2500/year). A telephone based outcome study was conducted in 102 outpatient smokers who received a CHOICES peer-to-peer session. At 1-month follow up participants (N = 86; 84%) reported smoking an average of 13 cigarettes per day which was significantly reduced from a baseline of 19 (P < 0.001). Twenty-five individuals (29%) tried to quit smoking in the month after the peer session and another 47 (55%) reduced their smoking. Feedback from smokers about the program was positive. Most (N = 59, 71%) said it was a lot easier to talk with a consumer about smoking compared to their psychiatrist or staff. Peer-to-peer communication about tobacco use can be effective to increase awareness and change smoking behaviors.
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Acknowledgments
This work was supported by grants from the American Legacy Foundation through the Small Innovators Grant Program, the Cancer Institute of New Jersey and funding from the New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Mental Health Services. Dr Williams has received research support from the National Institutes of Health (NIMH & NIDA) and Pfizer, Inc and has been a consultant to Novartis, and BeBetter Inc.
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Williams, J.M., Dwyer, M., Verna, M. et al. Evaluation of the CHOICES Program of Peer-to-Peer Tobacco Education and Advocacy. Community Ment Health J 47, 243–251 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-010-9310-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-010-9310-8