Professionals' perceptions of the obstacles to education for people using mental health services.
OBJECTIVE
This article focuses on the preliminary findings of a research project investigating the barriers to participation in education for persons using mental health services.


METHODS
A questionnaire was administered to 380 care coordinators in community health teams in the Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust to elicit their views on three areas where possible obstacles may be encountered: physical and psychological barriers found at an individual level, and structural barriers at the service level. Seventy care coordinators, predominantly community psychiatric nurses, replied and reported the barriers they saw facing 140 service users, all of whom were diagnosed with a severe mental illness.


RESULTS
Analysis of the physical and psychological obstacles indicated that fluctuating illness was the major barrier, with mobility the least problematic issue. The average number of substantial barriers faced by an individual was five. Lack of funding for courses was the biggest service-related obstacle, closely followed by lack of information and opportunities for education. Low expectations on the part of mental health practitioners were seen as the least important service-related issue.


CONCLUSIONS
Recommendations for service development highlight the role of education in recovery from mental illness.
Atkinson
Sue
S
Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust-Vocational Services, Nottingham, United Kingdom.
Bramley
Carole
C
Schneider
Justine
J
D019090:Case Management; D003156:Community Mental Health Services; D003469:Culture; D004519:Education, Special / Q000191:economics; D005380:Financing, Government; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational; D012917:Social Adjustment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom