Commentary on consumer and carer participation in a national mental health promotion initiative

Abstract

Current Australian Government policy acknowledges that consumers and carers are an integral component of improving all aspects of mental health, from individual service provision to policy development. However, although the ability of consumers and carers to influence mental health programs and services in Australia has increased over the past decade, the theory of partnership for consumer and carer participation has many challenges when put into practice. The Children of Parents with a Mental Illness (COPMI) national initiative has endeavoured to overcome these challenges and integrate consumer and carer participation across the initiative through a range of strategies. This paper explores and describes how consumers and carers have engaged with the initiative and overcome barriers or worked through ways to negotiate them. Examples and consumer and carer reflections are provided specifically in relation to the development of both public information and workforce development resources. The COPMI national initiative’s experience adds to the body of knowledge that is increasing as consumer and carer participation becomes more integrated across the mental health sector.