Involving mental health service users considered to pose a risk to other people in risk assessment

Abstract

Background: Little research or policy guidance about the involvement of mental health service users in risk assessment exists.

Aims: To explore how mental health professionals assessed risk to others and the extent to which they involved service users. To ascertain service users' knowledge of, and involvement in, risk assessment.

Method: Qualitative research methodology was used and semi-structured interviews were conducted with mental health services users and professionals.

Results: Four key themes arose (i) some professionals lacked confidence or experience in discussing risk openly with service users, (ii) most were not involving service users in risk assessments, (iii) the majority of service users were unaware that professionals were undertaking risk assessments on them, and (iv) there were differing levels of agreement between professionals and service users about risk and its seriousness.

Conclusion: There is a research and practice gap about effective means of engaging service users in risk assessment.

Declaration of interest: The original study upon which this paper is based was funded by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

Keywords:

• Risk assessment
• service user involvement