Abstract
Previous research has shown that experiential knowledge plays an important role for service user movements and has also discussed ambiguities in the definition of this type of knowledge. This study contributes to clarifying how experiential knowledge is understood within the service user movement. Through semi-structured interviews, it explores how Swedish mental health service user organisations (MHSUOs) and service user entrepreneurs (SUEs) regard the role of experiential knowledge for their endeavours. The study shows that SUEs and MHSUOs view experiential knowledge as complementary to established medical and expert knowledge. Both groups further reflect on the functions of individual and collective dimensions of experiential knowledge. Emotions are important in conveying experiential knowledge, although emotional commitment can be short-lived. The study discusses challenges for SUEs and MHSUOs in developing strategies to manage risks tied to strategic essentialism, and also in maintaining a critical standpoint towards established service providers.
Highlights
Experiential knowledge (Borkman 1976) is a significant topic in current research on mental health issues (Noorani et al 2019; Pattadath 2016; Voronka 2015, 2016)
This article examines the role of experiential knowledge within two distinct expressions of service user movements: on the one hand, the traditional form of mental health service user organisations (MHSUOs), and on the other, the emerging phenomenon of service user entrepreneurs (SUEs) that represent personalised means to engage for change
I discuss central tendencies in how SUEs and MHSUO representatives regard the role of experiential knowledge for their endeavours, to discuss how these actors employ experiential knowledge and what
Summary
Experiential knowledge (Borkman 1976) is a significant topic in current research on mental health issues (Noorani et al 2019; Pattadath 2016; Voronka 2015, 2016). This article examines the role of experiential knowledge within two distinct expressions of service user movements: on the one hand, the traditional form of mental health service user organisations (MHSUOs), and on the other, the emerging phenomenon of service user entrepreneurs (SUEs) that represent personalised means to engage for change. This motivates exploring the current role of experiential knowledge among collective and personalised expressions
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