T92. QUITLINK: ACCESSIBLE SMOKING CESSATION SUPPORT FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH SEVERE AND ENDURING MENTAL ILLNESS

Abstract

Background: People with severe mental illness (SMI) have a high, persistent smoking rate and are far more likely to die from smokingrelated illnesses such as cancer than as a result of their psychiatric illness. Evidence‐based smoking cessation interventions, such as quitlines, are underutilized by this group. Aim(s): The primary aim is to examine the effectiveness of the Quitlink intervention on prolonged abstinence among smokers with SMI. Method(s): A multicenter prospective, randomized, open, blinded endpoint (PROBE) design will compare standard smoking care alone against Quitlink. A total of 382 smokers will be recruited from mental health services in Victoria, Australia. Quitlink will utilize peer workers to refer smokers with SMI to Quitline, who will deliver a tailored and proactive smoking cessation intervention. The primary outcome measure will be 6 months prolonged abstinence. Repeated measures will be analyzed using generalized linear mixedmodels. Result(s):We anticipate that for the primary outcome, success will occur in 1% of the control arm versus 8% in the intervention arm. Our qualitative component will identify potential improvements, and barriers to full participation and engagement with the service. Conclusion(s): This is a highly translatable intervention resulting from linking two existing services (Quitline and mental health peer workers). It has the potential to greatly reduce a key cancer risk factor in people with severe mental illness.