Evaluating the effects of NAMI's consumer presentation program, In Our Own Voice

Misperceptions about individuals with mental illness and their ability to recover and live productive lives are common. Consumer presentation programs, such as NAMI's (National Alliance on Mental Illness) In Our Own Voice (IOOV), employ psychoeducation and direct contact to help correct misperceptions and offer encouraging messages about recovery for those with and without mental illness. Prior research on IOOV has been limited to student samples in artificial settings. This study was designed to understand audience members' responses to IOOV in natural settings.

IOOV audience evaluations collected from two NAMI affiliates in 2009 were analyzed (n = 599). A mixed methods approach was used to explore (a) overall responses to the program, (b) whether the program satisfied program goals for audience members, and (c) differences between consumer and nonconsumer responses.

The majority of viewers responded very positively. Qualitative responses suggested that the program is meeting NAMI's goals for audience members: educating the public and offering a hope-inspiring message of recovery. The program's effects generalized across consumers and nonconsumers with few differences. Nonconsumers were more likely to report that the program was educational, offered hope, and delivered a message of recovery; only the first difference remained when controlling for students. Consumers were more likely to report personally relating to presenters.

IOOV, as performed in the field, appears to provide educational and inspiring recovery-oriented programming freely available to the public.