Real lives, real jobs: Sustaining consumer perspective work in the mental health sector

Australian mental health policies and service standards expect that people with expertise by experience of mental health issues are actively involved at all levels of service planning, delivery, and evaluation. This consumer-led participatory research investigated the workforce issues facing consumer workers who undertake consumer perspective work in Victoria's mental health services. A reference group with diverse experience of consumer perspective work and research in mental health services guided its design and implementation. Twenty-four consumer workers participated in focus groups or indepth interviews, and the data were analysed thematically and collaboratively in the reference group. Findings include: that consumer perspective work was viewed as enriching, challenging, and enables individuals to contribute their expertise by experience to a broader movement and cause, but educational and peer supervision options were limited and underdeveloped. Participants described working conditions that inadequately acknowledge the reality of a working life or the job demands. They also reported wide-ranging attitudinal, resource and infrastructure barriers that highlight inequalities experienced by the consumer workforce within mental health services. Leadership within the consumer workforce and the mental health sector were each seen as critical to addressing these issues. Consumer perspective work is employment, and therefore improvements in working conditions and career development opportunities are critical to achieving a sustainable consumer perspective workforce.