Expert by Experience Involvement in Mental Health Research: Developing a Wellbeing Brochure for People with Lived Experiences of Mental Illness

Abstract

This is a process paper that describes the development of a wellbeing brochure, shared between university researchers, a consumer research advocate, and fully informed by people who are living with mental illness (experts by experience). The purpose of this brochure was to provide strategies for maintaining wellbeing for EBEs, after attending a psychosocial intervention. Brochure development was guided by a mixed-methods research design, using a survey and focus group. The findings illustrate five key themes in EBEs strategies for maintaining wellbeing: good sleep hygiene, regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, relaxation techniques and social support. This process paper demonstrates how collaborating with experts by experience represents a valuable approach for developing mental health research and resources.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to express their deepest gratitude to the EBEs who generously shared their perspectives.

Disclosure statement

The author(s) declare no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.