Interventions that provide support to survivors of stroke in the community; implications for their mental health and their support person

Many survivors of stroke have limitations with physical health and symptoms of anxiety or depression, and may require long-term multidisciplinary health or rehabilitation therapies. This thesis contributes to the understanding of evidence-practice gaps and novel interventions to improve mental health for survivor of stroke, and involvement of support people in stroke trials. Utilisation of mental health management processes in Australia was shown to have improved over 10 years. There was the low uptake of mental health-related goals during recovery after stroke. Both yoga and social groups can improve symptoms of anxiety and depression, and quality of life. Many support people reported benefits in participating within stroke trials.