Mental health advocacy outcomes from service user perspectives
ISSN: 1361-9322
Article publication date: 31 October 2018
Issue publication date: 7 November 2018
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to address a knowledge gap on advocacy outcomes from mental health service users’ perspective, and the implications for evaluating advocacy impact. The studies discussed highlight challenges for measuring the outcomes of advocacy, but underline the importance of doing so, and of involving service users alongside other stakeholders in co-designing evaluation systems.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper uses findings from three qualitative studies of independent advocacy involving focus groups and interviews with: 30 African and African Caribbean men who were mental health service users; 90 “qualifying patients” in a study of Independent Mental Health Advocate services; and nine young women in children and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS).
Findings
A comparative analysis and synthesis of findings from three studies identifies four common dimensions: how mental health advocacy is conceptualised and understood; how service users define advocacy outcomes; wider impacts; and, user involvement in evaluating advocacy outcomes. Advocacy outcomes were conceptualised as increasing involvement, changing care and treatment and supporting personal development. There was evidence of advocacy acting to empower mental health service users, and of broader impacts on service regimes and policies. However, there was limited evidence of transformational impact. Evaluating advocacy outcomes is increasingly seen as important.
Originality/value
Few researchers have focused primarily on the perspectives of people using independent mental health advocacy, or on the experience of “advocacy as empowerment”, and none have done so across diverse groups. This analysis adds insight into the impact of independent advocacy. Data from empirical studies attest to the important role independent advocacy plays in modern mental health systems.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This paper builds on the work of the project research teams involved in the three studies which included academic and peer researchers: Professor Mick McKeown, Dr Beverley French, Evette A. Hunkins-Hutchinson, Laura Able, June Sadd, Karen Machin, Kaaren Cruse, Steph De la Haye, Michelle Kiansumba, Paul Grey, Doreen Joseph, Zemikael Habte-Mariam, Dina Poursanidou, Professor Nigel Thomas, Dr Anne Crowley, Dan Moxon and Puja Joshi.The funding for Study 1 was from the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) through a competitive tender process. The study protocol and regular updates were provided to SCIE who provided feedback. Study 2 was funded by the Department of Health Policy Research Programme, through a competitive tender process. Regular updates were provided to the commissioning lead, who also facilitated dissemination through policy channels. Funding for Study 3 was from the Office of the Children’s Commissioner for England (OCC) through a competitive tender process, as part of its wider review of the provision of advocacy for children and young people. Regular updates were provided to the commissioning lead and the advisory group convened by the OCC, who also provided feedback on research measures and reports. The OCC retains intellectual property of the data.
Citation
Ridley, J., Newbigging, K. and Street, C. (2018), "Mental health advocacy outcomes from service user perspectives", Mental Health Review Journal, Vol. 23 No. 4, pp. 280-292. https://doi.org/10.1108/MHRJ-10-2017-0049
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited