Empowerment versus power: Consumer participation in mental health services

Abstract

Consumer participation is regarded as increasingly important in the effective delivery of mental health services and for the empowerment of mental health consumers. In a qualitative study, 17 consumers and 10 occupational therapists discussed their perceptions of consumer participation in mental health services. These included the advantages and benefits of consumer participation, the barriers to participation and how health workers can facilitate participation. The research brought to light an uncertain relationship between empowerment and power. While empowerment was universally considered to be desirable, opinions about the transfer of power were more ambivalent. It is argued that consumers and health workers need to work together to find creative ivays of addressing concerns relating to power so that real power can be shared to benefit all consumers. Limitations of the study included the small sample size and the sampling method, which restricted access to potential participants. Further research is suggested into consumer participation and consumer power. © Whurr Publishers Ltd.