Perceptions of the acceptability and effectiveness of a localised lifestyle medicine initiative to improve mental health – the lift project

ABSTRACT

Objective

Evaluate survey respondents’ perceptions concerning the acceptability and effectiveness of a localised, community-based mental health program.

Method

Avondale University and Lake Macquarie City Council partnered to implement an online, lifestyle-based program for all Council residents during a COVID-19 lockdown period. The University and Council promoted the program through established networks, resulting in 2390 registrations representing 4041 participants. Researchers invited registered users to respond to a post-program survey assessing their perceptions concerning program satisfaction, mental health benefits, and self-efficacy for managing mental health. Qualitative questions probed respondents’ likes and dislikes and were analysed thematically.

Results

Response rates were low, 6% (138/2390) of registered participants completed the post-program survey. Of the 138 responses, 99% indicated they would recommend the program to others, and 94% believed they gained skills to manage their mental well-being into the future. Themes generated from the qualitative data indicated that respondents liked the video content and delivery style, community camaraderie, personal empowerment, and easy accessibility. Some respondents found online accessibility problematic, disliked the delivery style, and experienced technical difficulties.

Discussion

The findings from a limited number of respondents indicate that a localised, community-based lifestyle program may offer a replicable model that is acceptable and effective in improving perceived mental health and self-efficacy in managing mental well-being. Survey respondents valued the practical content, community togetherness and emphasis on self-empowerment.

KEYWORDS:

• Health promotion
• Mental health
• Community mental health services

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Emilie Wiggers and Stephen McAlister from the Lake Macquarie City Council. Emilie and Stephen oversaw the program's marketing, recruiting and social media support services.

Data sharing

The participants of this study did not give written consent for their data to be shared publicly, so supporting data is unavailable due to the nature of the research.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Darren Morton is the Director of The Lift Project intervention used in the study but has received no financial reimbursement. Leticia Maguire is the Chief of Operations for The Lift Project intervention.

Ethics statement

The Avondale Human Research Ethics Committee provided ethics approval (No. 2021.007).

Additional information

Funding

The profit-for-purpose company, Lift Lifestyle Medicine Pty Ltd, provided funding for the study.