title: Consumer empowerment in the mental health field.
abstract: This article is an overview of consumer empowerment and involvement in the mental health field, with a focus on some recent Canadian developments as described in the formal literature. A brief description of traditional approaches to treatment and support for persons with serious mental health problems is provided, followed by a discussion of the principles of consumer empowerment and involvement. Three categories of involvement are described with a discussion of some of the associated benefits and barriers and methods for overcoming them. A discussion of directions for future work is also included.
authors.affiliation: Health Canada.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wilson
mesh_terms: D003256:Community Participation; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008605:Mental Health Services; D010358:Patient Participation; D011209:Power, Psychological; D012944:Social Support