Towards Coproduction in Mental Health Academia: A Cooperative Inquiry

Area of Science:

• Mental Health Service Delivery
• Academic Research
• Health Professions Education

Background:

• Coproduction is vital for effective mental health services but often misunderstood.
• Tokenistic participation is frequently mistaken for genuine coproduction.
• Significant funding and resourcing challenges impede coproduction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore strategies for advancing coproduction within an academic unit.
• To identify and address barriers to implementing coproduction in higher education.

Main Methods:

• A cooperative inquiry project involving consumer/lived experience and non-consumer academics.
• In-depth conversations transcribed and analyzed thematically.
• Identification of key themes related to coproduction implementation.

Main Results:

• Five themes emerged: importance, preparation, barriers, university transformation, and power.
• Shared belief in coproduction's value; strategies to clarify participation levels identified.
• Radical university transformation and resource allocation (e.g., academic positions) are essential.

Conclusions:

• Universities must acknowledge and address power differentials for authentic coproduction.
• Genuine coproduction requires systemic change, not just superficial engagement.
• Findings offer guidance for academics seeking to overcome coproduction barriers.