Using popular education groups: Can we develop a health promotions strategy for psychiatric consumers/survivors?

Abstract

It is widely acknowledged that health derives from a myriad of factors including economics, education, housing, and social support (Sidell et al., 1997). In short, health care, although dominant in North America, represents only one approach to health. The paper suggests utilizing the theory of Paulo Freire (1971) concerning adult and popular education to support the empowerment of psychiatric consumers/survivors with regard to their health. The paper theorizes that, as psychiatric consumers are supported to 'own' their health through a process of mutual aid, they will be more able to become partners in managing not only their psychiatric illness but their health. The paper argues that it is incumbent upon traditional mental health services as well as community innovators to undertake these facilitative roles. More generally, the paper suggests that a health promotions/health determinants approach can be efficacious in improving the health of other high-risk/high-use health care groups, and that we must direct concerted efforts to reduce the marginalization experienced by so many of our citizens.