This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Submit an eLetter
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when eLetters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Right arrow Citing Articles via Scopus
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Tait, L.
Right arrow Articles by Lester, H.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow Articles by Tait, L.
Right arrow Articles by Lester, H.
Advances in Psychiatric Treatment (2005) 11: 168-175
© 2005 The Royal College of Psychiatrists

Encouraging user involvement in mental health services

Lynda Tait and Helen Lester

Lynda Tait is a research fellow in primary care mental health at the University of Birmingham. Her research interests include primary care mental health, adaptation to psychosis, service engagement, user involvement and service development. Helen Lester is a reader in primary care mental health, also at Birmingham (Department of Primary Care, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK. Tel: 0121 414 2684; fax: 0121 414 6571; e-mail: h.e.lester{at}bham.ac.uk) and a GP in inner-city Birmingham. She has a particular interest in primary care mental health, mental health policy and user involvement.

This article summarises the current research evidence base on user involvement in mental health services from both policy and practical perspectives. We begin by examining the many meanings of the term ‘mental health service user’ and the policy imperatives for user involvement, to provide a context for later examples of good practice. We then discuss what is meant by ‘involvement’ and the reasons why user involvement is particularly important in mental health services. Finally, we describe some of the traditional barriers to involvement and a number of examples of positive practice across a range of different aspects of mental health service development and delivery.




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 Psychiatr. Bull.Home page
A. Bhardwaj and R. Kathane
Involvement of a young service user in the appointment of a doctor
Psychiatr. Bull., November 1, 2009; 33(11): 439 - 440.
[Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Clin Child Psychol PsychiatryHome page
S. Byrne, S. Morgan, C. Fitzpatrick, C. Boylan, S. Crowley, H. Gahan, J. Howley, D. Staunton, and S. Guerin
Deliberate Self-harm in Children and Adolescents: A Qualitative Study Exploring the Needs of Parents and Carers
Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, October 1, 2008; 13(4): 493 - 504.
[Abstract] [PDF]

Home page
 Adv. Psychiatr. Treat.Home page
L. Tait and S. Shah
Partnership working: a policy with promise for mental healthcare
Adv. Psychiatr. Treat., July 1, 2007; 13(4): 261 - 271.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]