Improving health and social functioning: Perspectives of mental health service users

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Significantly improving the health and social functioning of people with mental illness is the first Mental Health target in the UK's The Health of The Nation document. Users of mental health services in three London boroughs participated in five focus groups. Content analysis of the groups' discussions led to the description of a multi-dimensional model of health, compromising social, mental and physical components. Participants believed in the inherently health-promoting value of close interpersonal relationships. Access to work, leisure, housing and finances were all believed to be health-improving. The data lend support to the development of mental health services where the practitioner-user relationship is central, and where health promotion is best achieved using a broad psycho-social approach to care provision.