Mental Health and Participation

Edvard Munch, Anxiety, etch

In summer 2013 I have used the weblog to publish the progress on a project about meaningful political participation for mental health service users. The question was:  

What are the best ways for an existing service to encourage political participation among their users?


Why did I write about this? I am a student at Queen's University Belfast, currently finishing my degree in Politics and Linguistics. From September to December 2012 I did an internship for MindWise to help them set up an All Party Group in the Northern Irish parliament, Stormont. On this weblog you find the literature research for the internship report.

The project is now finished and handed in. Have a look at the conclusions here.

The project

First, I tried to explain what the problem was. What are social and political exclusion, why do mentally ill people in specific have a problem with it and why should we do something about that?

• Explaining what social inclusion has to do with mental health
• From social to political exclusion
• The importance of including everyone 

Then, I went on to look for solutions, by reading and reviewing different sources: about building the capability to participate, about user-run groups and services, and about practical measures on the side of institutions.

• Building civic skill
• User groups
• The BMHRG suggests some very practical measures 
• Institutional arrangements: how? 

The next few posts are about the practical part of my research

• Administrative support for an All-Party Group
• Research (now with vulnerable adults)
• Interview questions

N.B. You can click on the "mental health" label in the sidebar to see all the posts on one page!

If you are a service user or carer yourself, or a professional in the field, or just someone who is interested; I would love to hear your comments! Leave them on the weblog itself, or if you prefer you can contact me directly via the link in my profile.