Participatory action research: moving beyond the mental health ‘service user’ identity

Accessible summary The pervasive impact of mental illness on identity is generally held as negative. Contemporary Models of involvement within statutory services pay little regard to the identity of individuals beyond the “service user” label and in doing so unwittingly perpetuate and sustain the negative impact of mental illness. This aim of this paper is to discuss the process of working alongside people who use statutory mental health services as co‐researchers. It highlights the perspective of those involved as researchers on both the process and the impact of this type of involvement on them considering a move beyond the illness identity. This three year participatory action research study was facilitated within community mental health services. 6 people, currently using statutory mental health services were recruited as co‐researchers. The study required that they undertook a series of interviews with service users in relation to their life stories. The transcripts were mapped and analysed by the researchers using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). In order that the people were enabled to undertake these roles the study included a process of interviewing and appointing service user researchers followed by a programme of training workshops, supervision and discussion group/peer support throughout. The study reveals the importance of key aspects within the process of user involvement emphasizing the potential for transformation: connection, creditable definitions of self and reciprocity. It discusses implications for service user involvement within the statutory mental health service, acknowledging potential for transformation at both an individual and collective level. Abstract Contemporary models of involvement within statutory services pay little regard to the identity of individuals beyond the ‘service user’ label and in doing so unwittingly perpetuate and sustain the negative impact of mental illness. The aim of this paper is to discuss the process of a 3‐year participatory action research study facilitated by a mental health nurse. It highlights the perspective of those involved as co‐researchers, all having experience of accessing statutory mental health services. It identifies both the process and the impact of this type of involvement on them illustrating their move beyond an illness identity. The study involved them undertaking a series of interviews with other service users in relation to their life stories. They subsequently mapped and analysed the transcripts. In order that the people were enabled to undertake these roles the study included a process of interviewing and appointing service user researchers followed by a programme of training workshops, supervision and discussion group/peer support. The accounts provided reflect the six researchers' attempts to make sense of their experience and reveal the path of transformation through collaboration.