Developing a multicomponent implementation strategy for mental health interventions within the Nurse-Family Partnership: An application of the EPIS framework

Purpose The purpose of this article is to describe the process used to create the Mental Health Innovation (MHI), a multicomponent implementation strategy that integrates evidence-based mental health interventions into the Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP), a national home visiting program delivered by nurses to low-income mothers. Organizing construct The Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, Sustainment (EPIS) framework outlines the multistep, stakeholder-engaged process used to develop the MHI. Conclusion Engaging stakeholders provided an in-depth understanding of NFP infrastructure and the needs of NFP nurses and their clients. This understanding was key to designing a multicomponent implementation strategy to integrate mental health interventions within national and local NFP infrastructure and existing care processes. Clinical relevance Application of implementation frameworks such as EPIS provides a guide to integrating evidence-based interventions in a systematic, intentional, and rigorous manner, which in turn may promote their wide scale use and long-term sustainability.