Using needs surveys to foster consumer and family empowerment

The use of a collaborative approach to survey design was examined via administration of surveys assessing mental health information needs to 141 consumers & 41 family members residing in the service delivery area of the South Beach Psychiatric Center in Staten Island, NY. The top 5 information need priority areas reported by consumers were: (1) practical methods for dealing with problems; (2) mental illness; (3) opportunities to talk about similar experiences; (4) medication & side effects; & (5) self-help groups. The same top 5 information need priority areas were reported by families, though in different order. The collaborative approach helped to increase the content relevance of the questionnaire & emphasized the need to not overgeneralize about mental health information needs. 10 References. D. Generoli