Supporting Older adults with common mental health problems to Access care in Rural areas (SOAR Study)

Supporting Older adults with common mental health problems to Access care in Rural areas (SOAR Study)

Tell us about your journey to access support for common mental health problems.

What is the research doing?

Many people aged 60 and over who live in the countryside may not ask for help when they feel low, worried, or upset. They may not go to NHS services for help for this kind of problem. This study wants to learn how people notice these feelings and who they turn to for support. It will also work with local communities to find ways to help older people in rural areas get the support they need.

What does the researcher need from the participant?

I am looking to speak with people aged 60 years or older. They should live in the countryside or go to groups that meet in rural areas.

We are not looking for people who have memory problems, such as dementia, or a diagnosis of a severe mental illness such as Schizophrenia or Bi-polar disorder. We will agree on a day and time to talk. I will interview you and record the conversation, so I do not miss anything you say. During the interview, I will ask you about times when you noticed a problem and how you looked for help or support. You can choose where the interview takes place.

Who wants to know?

My name is Jo Darrant, I'm a PhD student. My supervisors are: Dr Tom Kingstone, Professor Carolyn Chew-Graham and Dr Tamsin Fisher.

What will happen to the information?

We will remove your name and any details that could show who you are, or who other people are, from the interview recording. This means no one will be able to identify you.

The anonymised information will be used in my research report and may also be used in articles or presentations. When the report is finished, any information that could identify you and the interview recordings will be securely destroyed in 2028. If you agree, the anonymised information may be kept for up to 10 years so it can be used in future research. On the consent form, you can initial a box to show whether you agree to this.

What are the benefits of taking part?

Taking part may not help you directly. However, many people say they find it helpful to talk about their experiences. By taking part, you will help us learn more about how people over 60 years notice problems like feeling low, worried or distressed and how they look for help. We hope this will help us work with people over 60 years and health and social care staff to develop better ways to support adults in rural areas over 60 years to get help for low mood or worry.

What are the risks of taking part?

Talking about your experiences may make you feel upset. You do not have to answer any questions that you do not want to answer. You can also stop the interview at any time.

If you feel it would help, we can talk about types of support that may be available to you.

How will you protect my privacy?

After the interview, I will keep the recording safe on a password protected university computer. Your contact details will be stored safely in the same way. Your consent form will also be kept securely, either on a password protected computer or in a locked filing cabinet. Only me and my supervisors will be able to see your information. We will treat it with care and respect. In very rare situations, if I am worried that you or someone else may be in serious danger, I may need to ask for extra help. If this happens, it could mean sharing some details with support services so that people can stay safe.

Need more information?

I am very happy to discuss the research in person or over the phone. Contact me at: Email: [email protected]

Tel: 01782 735964

Do I have to take part?

You do not have to take part if you do not want to. Taking part is your choice. If you decide to take part, you can stop the interview at any time. You do not need to give a reason, and this will not cause any problems. After the interview, you will have up to one month to change your mind.