community mental health services

User involvement in mental health services: a case of power over discourse

Public participation in planning and implementing health care has become a government mandate in many states. In UK mental health services, this 'user involvement' policy dates back nearly three decades and has now become enshrined in policy. However, an implementation gap in terms of achieving meaningful involvement and influence for service users persists.

The right to be heard: review of the Quality of Independent Mental Health Advocate (IMHA) services in England

Review of the quality of Independent Mental Health Advocate (IMHA) provision across England that was commissioned by the Department of Health. A team of independent researchers including four academics and nine co-researchers with experience of using mental health services undertook the study, which lasted eighteen months from 2010. Using different methods, the experiences and viewpoints of those with experience of IMHA, advocacy services, and health and social care professionals were explored in-depth.

Supporting people in accessing meaningful work : recovery approaches in community based adult mental health services [EPPI-Centre]

This knowledge review aims to synthesise research evidence on the process and impact of vocational and training interventions that are employing recovery approaches, in community-based adult mental health services. This systematic review was published by EPPI-Centre in 2011.Systematic reviews aim to find as much as possible of the research relevant to the particular research questions, and use explicit methods to identify what can reliably be said on the basis of these studies.

Lives less restricted: a report into the use of compulsory community treatment in Scotland

Report that reflects findings from a programme of visits to people who were subject to compulsory treatment orders with community based powers, i.e. who were not liable to be detained in hospital. The orders are referred to as Community Compulsory Treatment Orders (CCTOs).

The visits took place between November 2010 and March 2011.

An evaluation of the gardening leave project for ex-military personnel with PTSD and other combat related mental health problems

Gardening Leave was set up in 2007 as a horticultural therapy pilot project to enhance the therapeutic experience of ex-military personnel with combat related mental health problems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the Gardening Leave pilot project as a therapeutic intervention for ex-military personnel with combat related mental health problems from the point of view of the veterans who use the service and clinical staff who work with them at the Combat Stress treatment centre.

Systematic mapping guidance report 2 : the recovery approach in community-based vocational and training adult mental health day services (Research resource 3)

Report describing and discussing a systematic map focusing on the role of vocation, meaningful occupation and training in the refashioning of mental health day services. It includes research on how the recovery approach can operate in community-based vocational and training adult mental health services.

N.B. Free report requires registration.

Towards a Mentally Flourishing Scotland – National Stakeholder Event 11 June 2009

Following the launch of the Scottish Government’s new policy and action plan for mental health improvement (MHI) for 2009-11, Towards a Mentally Flourishing Scotland an event was held to support the implementation. The meeting brought together key national agencies and partners with responsibility for mental health improvement, together with senior officials from the Scottish Government, local government and the NHS.