Online Peer Support in Long-term Conditions

"Through collaboration with people living with LTCs, clinicians, academics, and web design experts, we have co-designed an online peer support and psychoeducation platform to help people with physical health conditions connect, support others, share experiences, and receive evidence-based information and advice on self-management. The web-based platform offers users access to peer support forums with embedded psychoeducation content.~The following components are key features of the platform:~* A discussion forum~* A private My Garden page that stores posts from other users and psychoeducation content that the user has decided to 'save'.~* A resources page giving access to evidence-based psychoeducation material on the mind-body link~* A 'Crisis and Further Support' page, where users can find further organisations and sources of support, particularly for crisis situations. The peer support platform does not offer one-to-one or crisis support."

"Participants in the control arm will be directed towards the Mental Health webpage(s), an online resources page provided by the NHS. These resources are not specifically targeted at people living with LTCs. They include information sheets and mental health support on topics such as advice for life situations and events. Additionally, it hosts a self-help section that includes guides, tools, and activities to support mental health, but does not include any interactive or peer support elements."