"The Road We Travel": Developing a co-produced narrative for a photovoice project

Area of Science:

• Mental Health Research
• Participatory Action Research
• Community Psychology

Background:

• PhotoVoice methodology is utilized in mental health to support marginalized communities.
• While aiming for equal partnerships, participant involvement often decreases in later project stages like exhibition design.
• Limited reporting exists on participant engagement in the full lifecycle of mental health PhotoVoice projects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To detail the phases of a mental health PhotoVoice project, from planning to execution.
• To illustrate how collaborative partnerships can extend to exhibition design and narrative co-production.
• To enhance public and policymaker knowledge of mental health education interventions through co-produced outputs.

Main Methods:

• Recruited ten participants and trained them in the PhotoVoice method.
• Participants used photography to document their experiences with a mental health education intervention.
• Participants collaboratively co-produced and disseminated a photography exhibition.

Main Results:

• PhotoVoice demonstrated flexibility and creativity in engaging marginalized groups.
• Adherence to collaborative principles allowed participants to maintain decision-making power throughout the project.
• Service users and family members successfully co-produced and disseminated an exhibition.

Conclusions:

• PhotoVoice aligns with mental health nursing recovery principles, promoting collaboration and valuing lived experience.
• The methodology empowers service users and family members to advocate for themselves and others.
• Involving participants equally in all stages, including dissemination, is crucial for effective PhotoVoice implementation.