[Users' participation in mental health services]

Area of Science:

• Mental Health Services Research
• Social Psychiatry
• User Involvement Studies

Background:

• User participation in mental health services has a history, but its current form as a movement is a recent development.
• Distinguishing between terms like "consumer," "client," "patient," and "user" is crucial for understanding participation.
• The evolution of user involvement is linked to concepts of recovery, human rights, and post-psychiatry.

Observation:

• Historical milestones in the user movement are examined.
• The relationship between the user movement, recovery concepts, Human Rights doctrine, and Post Psychiatry is explored.
• Key forms of participation include self-help/mutual-aid groups, service planning/provision/evaluation, and involvement in professional training.

Findings:

• User participation encompasses diverse forms, from self-help to direct involvement in service delivery and professional development.
• The user movement is intrinsically linked to the recovery model, human rights, and the paradigm shift towards Post Psychiatry.
• Personal narratives are identified as powerful tools for fostering subjectivity, overcoming isolation, and combating mental health stigma.

Implications:

• Understanding user participation is vital for developing more responsive and user-centered mental health systems.
• The findings support the integration of user perspectives in policy, practice, and research.
• Empowering users through participation and narrative can lead to improved mental health outcomes and reduced societal stigma.