Motivations for allyship with mental health consumer movements

ABSTRACT

People working within mental health organisations or systems but not in dedicated lived experience roles might still make contributions as allies to mental health consumer movements. The current study explores the motivations of such allies, specifically in relation to collaborations with consumers and targeting systemic change when providing support. Semi-structured interviews were held with 11 participants identified as allies to consumer movements. Interview data were examined using a synthesis of inductive and deductive thematic analysis. The findings indicated the motivations of allies could be understood in relation to three themes: social justice values, witnessing support for consumers, and perceptions of valuable consumer contributions. Participants discussed no single primary motive, instead reporting a combination. The motives identified have implications for allies’ involvement in and mobilisation with consumer movements. Allies using their power and influence to make opportunities for consumer empowerment might improve mental health policy, services, and academia.

KEYWORDS:

• Allyship
• mental health
• consumer leadership
• collective action
• service user

Acknowledgements

The research team would like to acknowledge the contributions of Vrinda Edan who played a vital role in recruiting participants and consulting on the present study

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Cameron Moss

Cameron Moss is a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Psychology at the University of Canberra, Faculty of Health.

Terri Warner

Terri Warner holds a Bachelor Arts and a Bachelor of Psychology from the Australian National University. Terri has also held consumer leadership roles at State and National levels. Furthermore, she has held guest lecturer roles at university level and presented at several national and international conferences on lived experience perspectives of mental health. Her research interest include the construction of psychosocial disability as a category and identity for mental health consumers and problem representations in mental health and disability policy.

Brenda Happell

Brenda Happell is Professor of Nursing University of Newcastle.  Her research focuses on consumer participation in the education of health professionals and physical health of people accessing mental health services.

Brett Scholz

Brett Scholz is a Senior Research Fellow in the Medical School at The Australian National University. His research focuses on consumer leadership across the health sector including in health services, policy, education, and research.