Creation of New Services: Collaboration Between Mental Health Consumers and Occupational Therapists

Abstract

In order to improve polices and practice in mental health services, a study was carried out in Iceland to explore users' perspectives about recovery. Qualitative research methods were used with a diverse cross-section of subjects who considered themselves “survivors” of mental illness. The study identified supports and barriers to recovery from the user's perspective. A group of users and occupational therapists worked together to utilize the results and create new ideas in service delivery for individuals with mental health problems. They expanded their partnership by involving occupational therapy students to work on a quality assurance project. This collaboration has already promoted the development of new services in Iceland, which are driven by user's perspectives on recovery and empowerment and concepts from the Model of Human Occupation.

KEYWORDS:

• empowerment
• Model of Human Occupation
• recovery
• users' perspectives

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The author would like to thank all those who participated in the research projects and her colleagues in Hugarafl. Special thanks go to Audur Axelsdottir, occupational therapist, without whose contributions these new services would not exist today. Heartfelt thanks go also to Hope Knutsson, OTR, and Gudrun Kr. Gudfinnsdttir, OTR, MPH, for inspiring her to accept the challenge of writing this article and for putting it into readable English.