The Historical Development of the Successful Dialogues in Mental Health Model

Background/Objectives: The scientific literature shows that new scientific and social priorities regarding social impacts and co-creation are leading to profound transformations in all scientific and social contexts. In the field of mental health, one dimension of this transformation is the increasing visibility of dialogic models that support the improvement of mental health. While this is very positive, it carries a risk of deformations that can lead to negative outcomes for both society and science. There is a lack of scientific research about the errors related to the new visibility of the Successful Dialogues in Mental Health (SDMH) model. The objective of this research is to clarify a certain type of error, namely when the excellent results obtained through the use of this model in particular contexts are attributed to a supposed dialogic approach of psychiatric rehabilitation, made by researchers without a degree in medicine. Methods: In order to clarify this error, we use a communicative methodology through a qualitative research design, oriented to unveil the main steps in the original development of the model. Results: The results show that the SDMH model has never presented itself as psychiatric, but instead as a social-dialogic collaboration with psychiatrists with the aim of helping individuals to overcome mental health problems. Conclusions: This study clarifies the purpose of the SDMH model which contributes to benefiting citizens, particularly those with mental health conditions.