Very useful, but do carefully: Mental health researcher views on establishing a Mental Health Expert Consumer Researcher Group

Abstract

Accessible summary What is known on the subject? Contemporary mental health policy stipulates consumer participation in all aspects of mental health services including service evaluation and other forms of mental health research. Research is identified as underpinning quality mental health services, and therefore, consumers researchers could enhance the mental health sector by contributing to the quality, credibility and relevance of mental health research. What this paper adds to existing knowledge? Non‐consumer researchers generally supported the concept of a consumer expert reference group for researchers at the individual and institutional level. A consumer expert reference group should reflect diversity and offer expertise relevant to the topic of research and may represent one way to normalize partnerships with consumer researchers and realize the benefits they can bring to research. What are the implications for practice? Quality mental health services are underpinned by robust research evidence. It is crucial that consumers are active participants in research activity. The availability of a consumer expert reference group could facilitate collaborations between consumer and non‐consumer researchers and contribute to a stronger consumer focus embedded in mental health research. AbstractIntroductionContemporary mental health policy identifies consumers as active participants in all aspects of mental health services from design to evaluation. Consumer researchers should be actively involved in mental health research and contribute to quality service delivery.AimTo gain a snapshot of mental health researcher views on strategies for increasing research by or with consumers in mental health through the establishment of an Expert Consumer Researcher Group (ECRG).MethodsCross‐sectional survey of 41 non‐consumer mental health researchers from Australia or New Zealand.ResultsThe introduction of an ECRG was considered an effective strategy for linking consumer and non‐consumer researchers and providing specialist advice on research design and methodology. The most suitable location for this group was identified as within consumer advocacy agencies (71%), universities (66%) or research funding bodies (66%). Participants rated their likelihood of seeking advice from the ECRG as high.DiscussionResearch participants supported the value of an ECRG. They emphasized the importance of ensuring the group reflected a diversity of views and offered specialized expertise related to the specific topic. The ECRG could benefit both individual researchers and larger research organizations.Implications for practiceAn ECRG could facilitate collaborations with consumer researchers and in turn enhance the quality of mental health research.

Embedding lived experience expertise across the mental health tertiary education sector: An integrative review in the context of Aotearoa New Zealand

“…Similar approaches are evident in City, University of London's Service User and Carer Group Advising on Research (SUGAR; Simpson et al, 2014), and the Service User Research Enterprise (SURE) situated within King's College, University of London, both of which provide EBE advice and support for mental health‐related research. Although these two examples reflect work being done internationally, a recent exploratory study by Scholz, Platania‐Phung, et al (2019) has also provided evidence of tertiary support for similar EBE advisory group approaches in New Zealand. By surveying 41 non‐consumer mental health researchers from across New Zealand and Australia, Scholz et al analysed feedback regarding the perceived value of an EBE Researcher Group and reported significant support for such a strategy.…”

“…Although recent research suggests that the extent of EBE involvement in research processes remains mostly limited and sporadic (Happell et al, 2019), there was a general consensus that well‐implemented approaches to EBE‐inclusive research have the potential to bolster the rigour and validity of mental health and addiction‐related research (Rose, 2017; Rose et al, 2018; Russo & Beresford, 2015; Scholz, Gordon, et al, 2019; Scholz, Platania‐Phung, et al, 2019; Simpson et al, 2014). Numerous studies reported including EBE as a means for strengthening study design and data analysis processes (Byrne et al, 2016; Gillard et al, 2015; Lambert & Carr, 2018; Pinfold et al, 2015).…”

“…For example, Waks et al (2017) signalled the ability of EBE researchers to take the lead on all aspects of the research process, from study design through to report writing, with non‐EBE researchers providing methodological support and professional advice as needed. By opening up opportunities for EBE to take on research leadership roles, there is a greater chance of promoting research, which is responsive to the needs and perspectives of those living with mental distress and addiction (Scholz, Gordon, et al, 2019; Scholz, Platania‐Phung, et al, 2019).…”

“…The complex legal, ethical and technical nature of successful grant applications, coupled with the risk‐averse sensibilities of funding agencies, has the potential to threaten the integrity of EBE‐inclusive research projects and alienate EBE researchers involved in the process of acquiring funding (Dorozenko et al, 2016). This barrier was recently highlighted in an exploratory study of non‐EBE researchers with experience of co‐producing research across Australia and New Zealand, in which inflexibility of funding processes and deadlines was highlighted as key barriers to implementing effective EBE‐inclusive research (Scholz, Platania‐Phung, et al, 2019).…”

They are a different breed aren’t they? Exploring how experts by experience influence students through mental health education

“…Allies generally do not identify as consumers and actively advocate for and promote increased consumer involvement (Happell & Scholz, 2018; Slay & Stephens, 2013). Allies utilize their privileged positions, often involving seniority and influence, to advance consumer involvement in research (Happell et al., 2018; Lambley, 2020; Scholz et al., 2019), mental health education (Byrne et al., 2017; Happell et al., 2019a), and mental health services (Byrne et al ., 2019; Juntanamalaga et al ., 2019; Moss et al., 2020). It would therefore appear likely that allies will play a crucial role in the sustainability and growth of future consumer academic positions.…”