The consumer-employee as a member of a Mental Health Assertive Outreach Team. II. Impressions of consumer-employees and other team members

Background: Reports of the benefits of employing consumers of mental health services as mental health workers tend to focus on the views of other professionals. Aim: To provide a first hand account of the experience of being a consumer-employee healthcare assistant (HCA) within an assertive outreach team and to examine the effect on other team members. Method: Semi-structured interview schedules were administered to the HCAs (n = 2) and a range of measures given to other team members (n = 10). Results: Perceived benefits to clients include a positive role model and having a worker with personal understanding of pertinent issues. Benefits to the team included effects on attitudes to, and practices with, clients. Concern was expressed about sickness level and its impact on the service. Conclusion: The employment of consumer-employees has much to offer mental health services but issues for consideration include appropriate support. Declaration of interest: None