These outcomes reflect our findings from the relaxation sessions , as service users were asked to complete optional feedback forms to give the facilitators guidance on their experiences .
One service user reported that the mindful eating sessions were helpful with his weight loss journey and the work he is doing with the occupational therapist on healthy eating .
Another positive experience was shared by a service user who is new to the service , who explained that he had not taken part in a group like this before . He said he felt ‘ really relaxed ’ after his first session . He reported that he had been particularly stressed that day and that the session ‘ took his mind off it ’. He even asked to have another session right after .
Through the feedback , service users reported that they would use the techniques they had learned in their own time . With a varying number of attendees each week , the relaxation group has remained quite popular .
After 16 weeks of running the relaxation group , participants who had attended multiple sessions were asked to complete the Individual Assessment of Change ( Hampson and Halstead 2014 ). The purpose of this assessment was to evaluate the effectiveness of the group and gather feedback .
The assessment included both qualitative and quantitative measures to provide a more comprehensive evaluation . Feedback from the participants indicated that they found the relaxation group to be helpful overall . They reported that attending the sessions helped them better understand themselves and cope better with stress and anxiety .
One service user told us that ‘ guided meditation was useful , because it was like the psychology work I ’ d done before and it helped me put this into practice ’. Another service user said : ‘ The guided imagery has helped me with situations like peer pressure ’.
We also received feedback about the setup for the room , with people commenting that the diffuser really helped them to relax and that the dark environment was peaceful .
The resources created for the relaxation group were made into an easily accessible booklet that contains a script-like session plan , for all staff members to access . One of the advantages of this is that it can be offered either in a group or individual setting , making it accessible to more people .
Currently , the relaxation rooms in the unit are being updated , which is expected to improve attendance by providing better resources and more sensory equipment . To increase the promotion of the group , it will be advertised through community meetings , posters , staff training and one-to-one sessions .
The team plans to continuously improve the group based on feedback from service users and their own ideas . The group has already become an important component of the therapy programme at the Oaks and we hope it will continue to do so in the future .
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence ( 2020 ) Rehabilitation for adults with complex psychosis [ NICE Quality standard G181 ]. Available at https :// bit . ly / 3xmanaL [ accessed 3 April 2024 ].
Hampson NE and Halstead J ( 2014 ) The Individual Assessment of Change Questionnaire . In : Structured Rehabilitation Programmes for Neurological Conditions . Relaxation . Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust .
Johnson LM , Elsegood KE and Browne F ( 2022 ) Outcomes of a co-produced and co-delivered relaxation course for service users and staff at a secure mental health service , Journal of Mental Health Training , Education and Practice , 17 ( 5 ): 381- 390 . DOI : https :// bit . ly / 4cxkLwC .
Treleaven DA ( 2018 ) Trauma-sensitive mindfulness : practices for safe and transformative healing . WW Norton and Company .
Words MEENA HUSSAIN and CHARLOTTE KEALLY , Cygnet Oaks , Cygnet Health Care . For more information visit https :// bit . ly / 4aCnfrv
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