From passive recipient to active citizen: Participation in mental health user groups

Abstract

This paper uses the concept of citizenship to understand the objectives of self-organisation among users of mental health services. It is based on research conducted for the ESRC Local Governance Programme and addresses issues relating to the governance of services, as well as the individual and collective empowerment of users. Studies of three very different user groups led to the conclusion that, not only do such groups have a role to play in ensuring that individual users' rights are respected, but also enable people with mental health problems to play a role in enhancing the accountability of services and support their wider participation as 'active citizens'.