Mental Health Consumer Movement Research Articles

'They can't empower us': The role of allies in the consumer movement.

Goals of the mental health consumer movement include redressing inequality and increasing consumer leadership across the mental health sector. A means of achieving these goals is empowerment of consumers at systemic levels of the mental health sector. There have been calls for research to focus on allies - those who use their power to support and advocate for the goals of the consumer movement. This study aimed to examine the role of allies in consumer empowerment. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 individuals (including three consumers, nine allies, and three participants each identifying as both consumer and ally). Findings suggest that allies cannot directly empower consumers but should support opportunities for consumer leadership within the sector. We discuss how allies might do this and avoid paternalism in their allyship.

What does “recovery” from mental illness and addiction mean? Perspectives from child protection social workers and from parents living with mental distress

The mental health consumer movement initiated the development of the recovery approach, in which self-determination, human rights and the living of a hopeful life superseded merely symptom management for people living with mental illnesses and addictions. To what degree has this reimagined path to recovery shaped social work practice? In this paper we analyse the perspectives of eleven social workers doing child protection work in Aotearoa New Zealand. We examine also the accounts of thirteen parents living with mental illness or addiction who have been involved in child custody investigations in Aotearoa New Zealand. We ask whether the social workers understand recovery as possible for such parents, and if so, how they see it occurring. We found that there is a substantial difference between the way the social workers and the parents conceived of such ‘recovery’. While parents' descriptions of recovery reflected those of the mental health consumer movement, social workers tended to operate with a focus on clinical intervention, symptom and risk management.

Psychometric evaluation of the Dutch version of the Mental Health Recovery Measure (MHRM)

During the past decade, the mental health consumer movement has drawn the attention of mental health providers, researchers and policy makers to the concept of recovery. Traditionally, recovery primarily refers to the remission of symptoms. Nowadays, recovery is also regarded in a sense that all individuals, even those with severe psychiatric disabilities, can improve. Accordingly, recovery for people with severe mental illness refers to hope and optimism, empowerment, regained control and increased self-esteem, illness self-management and engagement in meaningful daily activities (Corrigan, Giffort, Rashid, Leary & Okeke, 1999; Jacobson & Greenley, 2001; Leamy, Bird, le Boutillier, Williams & Slade, 2011; van Gestel-Timmermans, Brouwers, van Assen, Bongers & van Nieuwenhuizen, 2012). Little empirical research, however, has been done and instruments to measure recovery are scarce. In the current study, the psychometric properties of the Dutch version of the Mental Health Recovery Measure (MHRM) are explored. Convergent and divergent validity of the MHRM was assessed using standardized measures of hope (Hope Herth Index (HHI)), recovery-promoting professional competence (Recovery Promoting Relationships Scale (RPRS)) and general physical health and well-being (RAND Measure of Health-Related Quality of Life (RAND-36)). A factor analysis was conducted and Cronbach's α of the MHRM scales was assessed. The construct validity was assessed by computing the intercorrelations of the MHRM, HHI, RPRS and RAND-36. Data were available for 212 patients: 70 patients completed the MHRM, HHI and RAND 36 and 142 filled out the MHRM and RPRS. Exploratory factor analysis resulted in an interpretable three-factor solution. Cronbach's α ranged from 0.86 to 0.94. The convergent validity of the instrument was satisfactory; the divergent validity was less clear. This study offers evidence to suggest that the Dutch version of the MHRM is a reliable measure (in terms of internal consistency) with a generally acceptable convergent and divergent validity. Further research is needed to clarify the extent to which the MHRM is sensitive enough to capture the individual recovery process of patients.

Self-Help and Community Mental Health Agency Outcomes: A Recovery-Focused Randomized Controlled Trial

Self-Help and Community Mental Health Agency Outcomes: A Recovery-Focused Randomized Controlled Trial

Several Trends Shaping Future of Mental Health Care in U.S.

Several Trends Shaping Future of Mental Health Care in U.S.

Letter

Back to table of contents Previous article Next article LetterFull AccessLetterPaolo del Vecchio M.S.W.Paolo del Vecchio M.S.W.Search for more papers by this authorPublished Online:1 Aug 2006https://doi.org/10.1176/ps.2006.57.8.1212aAboutSectionsPDF/EPUB ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack Citations ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail To the Editor: The Rissmillers' Open Forum article in the June issue linking antipsychiatry with the mental health consumer movement does a disservice to the thousands of consumers working to improve the lives of people with mental illnesses. The essay also fails to acknowledge the many psychiatrists who partner with them. Today's consumer movement is not "radical." It is a mainstream, cornerstone approach to improve mental health care quality as called for by the U.S. Surgeon General ( 1 ), the President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health ( 2 ), and the Institute of Medicine ( 3 ). Rather than "fighting against pharmacological treatment," the movement supports the consumer's choice of treatments—including medications—and is often active in promoting increased financing for mental health services, insurance parity, and the protection of individual rights, such as health care privacy.The movement comprises courageous individuals who, at some risk to their own livelihoods, come out of the closet about their own experiences with mental illness and give back to their communities by forming support groups, operating drop-in centers, and educating the public against stigma and discrimination. It is unjust to discredit mental health care consumer advocates and their hard work by linking them with antipsychiatrists, including Scientologists. Contrary to the authors' assertions, psychiatrists are engaged in ongoing collaborations with the consumer movement, with activities that range from conducting local public awareness events to convening a national dialogue series to identify collaborative approaches to improve care ( 4 ). Past APA president Steven S. Sharfstein, M.D., reinforced this effort when he endorsed the need for "a collaborative approach with input solicited and accepted from the patient" ( 5 ). Psychiatry recognizes that alliances with those served—whether on the clinical, community, or policy levels—are in our mutual interest: the promotion of mental health recovery.Mr. del Vecchio is associate director for consumer affairs at the Center for Mental Health Services of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Empowering and Demedicalized Case Management Practices

Abstract The principles of empowerment and demedicalization have been central to the formulations of rehabilitation and social service practices as well as case management, a core community support service provided to people with psychiatric disabilities. This study describes empowering and demedicalized practices in mental health case management. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with thirty leaders in the mental health consumer movement and five professionals. Twenty-five categories of such practices were developed and are presented. Findings have implications for both the nature of the interaction between case manager and client and for program structures, activities, and missions.

A Seat At The Table: Trend Or Illusion?

Responding to Nancy Tomes's conclusion that mental health consumers are beneficiaries but not primary causes of a new attentiveness to consumers' concerns, this review finds various historical and contemporary reasons for the mental health consumer movement to remain vigilant: the system's shallow acceptance of consumer self-determination; continued reliance on expedient coercive tactics rather than therapeutic engagement; the currently narrow reach of initiatives in self-direction; and the fragmentation of authority in the delivery of public services and supports needed by mental health consumers.

Inclusion of Mental Health Consumers on Research Teams

Inclusion of Mental Health Consumers on Research Teams

Recovery focused interventions: Perceptions of mental health consumers and their case managers

The concept of recovery has emerged as a central tenet of the mental health consumer movement, and is increasingly informing service development and evaluation. Key factors that contribute to recovery have been identified in both consumer writings and research, but few studies have explored the extent to which mental health workers and mental health consumers share perceptions of the relative importance of those factors. In this study a new instrument was developed to measure the importance of recovery factors as rated by paired mental health consumers and case managers. A pilot administration to 15 consumers and their case managers revealed that the measure was sensitive to differences in perceptions. Differences were found in the areas of medication, strengths-based interventions and perceptions of the relationship with the case manager and service. Case managers tended to rate their level of recovery-focused activity higher than did consumers. The instrument has potential to be used in a larger study to further establish its validity and reliability.

Rewriting the agenda for training in clinical and counselling psychology

This paper describes a model for future training in clinical and counselling psychology. The model is based on the results of psychotherapy outcome research, and the development of empirically supported therapies, as well as recent developments in the use of information technology in psychotherapeutic interventions. It is also argued that developments such as the increasing cost of mental health interventions, the wide disparities in access to specialised mental health assistance, and the rise of the mental health consumer movement all provide a context for recommendations as to optimum developments in training for clinical and counselling psychologists.

PC, M.D.: How Political Correctness Is Corrupting Medicine

PC, M.D.: How Political Correctness Is Corrupting Medicine

CMHS Ensures Consumers Have Policymaking Voice

CMHS Ensures Consumers Have Policymaking Voice

The mental health consumer movement: implications for rural practice.

Developing consumer-oriented programs for rural areas presents a major challenge for practitioners and policy makers. The mental health consumer movement, a successful urban creation, has yet to fully impact rural practice and be of benefit to individuals with severe and persistent mental illness. Rural mental health professionals face unique challenges and opportunities in utilizing rural strengths to foster consumer participation in the design and implementation of service delivery. The authors address the unique barriers facing rural communities and propose a self-help model as a service delivery alternative.

National clearinghouse serves mental health consumer movement.

National clearinghouse serves mental health consumer movement.

Fostering self-help on an inpatient unit

A self-help movement for people with chronic mental illness is growing but is not as advanced as the system of self-help for the chemically dependent. Barriers to organized self-help among those with chronic mental illness include stigma, denial, and the debilitating effects of the illnesses themselves. The authors developed a coping group on a 12-bed psychiatric unit to address these problems. The group was designed to strengthen ties with a local self-help club and to foster the idea that people with chronic mental illness can have a positive impact on the course of their illness. Mental health consumers who were successfully coping with their illnesses were guest speakers and role models for group members. The coping group, which was well received by participants, stimulated research questions and suggested potential modifications of clinical practice. In recent years, a mental health consumer movement has gathered momentum. Individuals who have been receiving psychiatric services are now clamoring for a more active role. There are currently several national consumer organizations that are growing in power and visibility. Some self-help groups, like Recovery Inc., are primarily therapy groups concerned with personal growth. Others, like the National Mental Health Consumers Association, are involved in supporting research and empowerment through political action as well as focusing on mutual-aid groups.