We already know that there are multiple levels and sections to research itself. They can be minimized down to participatory research, social change research and activist research. Specifically, I will be talking about the mix of mental health and the use of participatory research about it. To begin, Paulo Freire was involved in a process of participatory research that has been supported since the 1970’s, that involved conducting a two year institutional ethnography for a participatory research program. “This analysis draws on observations, interviews, and documents associated with 25 research and related projects undertaken from 1995 to 1997 by members and staff of a mental health clubhouse in Atlantic, Canada” (Townsend, et. al., 2000). In addition, the research had also “included in the paper are reflections on participatory research as a form of client-centered professional practice based on a broad view of occupation in everyday life” (Townsend, et. al., 2000).
Budd Hall was a participatory researcher who perfectly described this research, simply stating that its really “a form of action research used by people who, reflecting on their experiences of living on the margins of society, critically analyze their dependence and oppression with the intention of transforming their lives individually and collectively” (Townsend, et. al., 2000). He had also split them in categories, as an example to explain how this research goes about. For example, “people living in poverty are participating in research to investigate their possibilities for survival and empowerment and people with mental health problems are participating in evaluating and reform of the mental health services they use” (Townsend, et. al., 2000). In order to help those in any such way, its really all about collecting the data, getting educated on it or the help we need and taking action/ the next step in the right direction to help us in the long run. Just like when it comes to interventions, participatory research is not the easiest one to deal with, as it does come with its challenges and fallbacks just like every other research technique that may be out there. It all comes down to getting past those barricades and how to overcome the obstacles easily, in order to provide accurate research. Hall also mentions that empowerment is included with research, becoming a “process of learning to critique and transform individual feelings, thoughts, and actions, as well as the organization of society, so that power and resources can be shared more equitably” (Townsend, et. al., 2000).
When it comes to the mental health clubhouse and participatory research, “people with long-term illness have longer experienced marginalization and inequitable opportunities in a wide range of everyday occupations related to living in a home, holding a job, taking part in recreation, and engaging in intimate relationships” (Townsend, et. al., 2000). However, this study had come to the conclusion that based off of the efforts from the mental health clubhouse and the patients within these groups, was that “this ethnography is that power inequities between members, professionals, and outside researchers need to be discussed openly if members’ empowerment is a goal of a research program in a mental health clubhouse” (Townsend, et. al., 2000). Another factor that would make things better is by providing positive encouragement towards others in helping them succeed, therefore by providing that confidence, this can help them make the necessary changes and taking that next step, which is action. If there was a decrease in encouragement, this may hold those back from wanting to move forward which can lead to a decline in this study. “A participatory research unit would be accountable to members as much as to management and would be governed by members and staff whose job is to facilitate members to develop the skills, confidence, and experience, to exert as much leadership as possible” (Townsend, et. al., 2000).
In conclusion, with providing a positive outlook and encouragement to those in the mental health clubhouse, this can promote positive social change and empowerment for them to take action in what they want to do. By simply “reducing power inequities amongst participants and generating social critique are difficult challenges” but also including the most important fact, which states “opportunities lie in organizing a research program, through policies, funding, and other forms of governance, so those clients like mental health clubhouse members are more likely to extend their voice in research and social change” (Townsend, et. al., 2000). If participatory research continues in the field of mental health and helping those overcome a lot of the experiences they have been faced or struggling with, this can develop new opportunities for intervention but also strategies to help those take action to end the stigma.
Reference:
Townsend, E., Birch, D. E., Langley, J., & Langille, L. (2000). Participatory research in a mental health clubhouse: Occupation, participation and health. The Occupational Therapy Journal of Research, 20(1), 18-44. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/153944920002000102
Hello!
I think that participatory action research is great in shifting power dynamics between the researcher and the participant. By creating a more equitable environment, community members can truly feel empowered and invested in research that directly pertains to them. Furthermore, the use of PAR in mental health research is great as it provides agency to those with psychiatric illness.
Prof. Barbara Schneider states this is a great concern/priority and that “the use of PAR to carry out mental health research grows out of the mental health service user/survivor movement that developed in the 1970’s, a loose connection of individuals and groups working to achieve choice and self-determination for people with psychiatric diagnoses. It also has links to the disability rights movement of the same period……Researchers began to focus on the experiences of social discrimination associated with disability, and …… advocated a version of PAR described as emancipatory disability research as a way to change the social relations of disability research, from research carried out “on” people with disabilities to research carried out “with” people with disabilities.” (Schneider, 155)
References:
Schneider, B. (2012). Participatory Action Research, Mental Health Service User Research, and the Hearing (our) Voices Projects. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 11(2), 152–165. https://doi.org/10.1177/160940691201100203
Hello, I was enlightened by your post. I was intrigued to learn about participatory research and how it can be applied to mental health. I do agree that positive encouragment can do wonders in helping people with mental health issues succeed. I think positive encouragment could be beneficial to anyone needing a little boost of energy to accomplish a goal. After reading your post I can see how participatory research can provide unique insight towards helping people with disabilities.