Bridging Community Gaps Photovoice

The BCGP intervention is 6 months long and the investigators expect that participants will
experience lower self and perceived stigma, increased community participation and sense of
belonging, and improved psychosocial functioning and personal growth after the intervention.
The intervention is comprised of a 12-week class that meets once a week for two hours,
followed by three booster sessions - one per month in the three months following the class,
and up to 24 sessions of individual support as needed throughout the 6 months provided on a
weekly basis either in person or by phone. The purpose of the individual support is to
reinforce the class activities and to ensure the participants meets their community
participation goal. The proposed study is a randomized trial which will be conducted at
Boston University Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation (BUCPR) in Massachusetts, the Mental
Health Center of Denver (MHCD) in Colorado, and the Greater Bridgeport Mental Health Center
(GBMHC) in Connecticut.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. are 18 or older.

2. are recipients of services at research sites due to having a DSM-V diagnosis of mental
illness, including dual diagnosis (dual diagnosis refers to co-occurring mental
illness and alcohol/ substance use disorder).

3. are interested in enhancing their community participation.

4. are not currently receiving individual peer support services.

5. are able to read and write in English.

Exclusion Criteria:

1)Inability to give full and knowing consent.