Deepening Partnerships through Co-Leadership: Integrating First Voice Perspectives into the Recreation for Mental Health (R4MH) Project

Abstract

With a common goal of increasing social inclusion through collaboration between the mental health and recreation sectors, the Recreation for Mental Health Project was a partnership between Dalhousie University, Recreation Nova Scotia, and the local Canadian Mental Health Association branch.Aims: Central to this project was the meaningful involvement of individuals with First Voice perspectives—in this case, people with lived experience of mental health challenges. This paper describes key strategies used to privilege First Voice perspectives throughout this project.Methods: The strategies included (a) advisory committee membership, (b) arts-based activities, (c) community-based research, and (d) co-leadership in project dissemination.Findings and conclusion: Initial strategies related to the project’s overall direction and research activities culminated in shared dissemination activities that fostered co-leadership. This co-leadership created the opportunity to intentionally discuss the challenges and facilitators of partnerships between people with First Voice experience and researchers throughout the project.Significance: This intentional process of exploring multiple perspectives bridged notions of ‘us’ and ‘them’, cultivating a sense of solidarity across shared experiences of exclusion and agency. Key principles related to relationships, multiple identities, and power-sharing are synthesized.