Evidence Library

Abstract:

In this article, consumer researchers share their experiences of being involved in a mental health project. The project followed the changes in three local community mental health organisations over two years. The consumers were involved in conducting focus groups and interviews, analysing the data and writing-up and presenting the results.

The consumer researchers said they personally benefited from being involved. It helped their recovery to be working again. They gained new skills and greater self-esteem. They gained support from their peers, learned to have more compassion for other consumers, and became more aware of the kinds of changes needed in the mental health system.

They thought that their involvement contributed to the research findings and processes by:

• making it easier for the interviewees to talk about the problems they have faced
• changing the direction of the project and the way the research methods were carried out.

Related entry: none currently available

Categories: health
Undertaking research
impact on research
impact on service users involved
impact of public involvement
reflecting on public involvement in research
journal article

Date Entered: 2009/01/28

Date Edited: 2012/11/20