Professionals’ views on mental health service users’ education: challenges and support
Authors: Nieminen I. , Kaunonen M. 
Published: January 2017

Accessible summary

What is known on the subject?

Mental health service users (MHSUs) may experience disruptions in their education. However, education has been shown to have a positive influence on their recovery, potentially offering them broader employment opportunities.

The literature suggests that providing support forMHSUs in their educational efforts may be beneficial and is wished for by the service users themselves. However, there is a lack of mental health professionals’ views on the topic in the setting of a community mental health centre.

What does this paper add to the existing knowledge?

In the perception of mental health professionals, the predominance of disease in the life of MHSUs and their marginalization may form barriers to their success in education.

Professionals can supportMHSUs in their educational efforts by strengthening theMHSUs’ internal resources and creating a supportive environment with professional expertise available. A service user‐centred education might further helpMHSUs to achieve their educational goals.

Our findings confirm previous knowledge of a recovery‐oriented approach to supportingMHSUs’ education. This study explored the topic from the professionals’ perspective in the context of community mental health centres, which is a fresh view in the research literature.

What are the implications for practice?

The findings suggest which types of support professionals perceive to be required forMHSUs to advance their studies. Knowledge of adequate forms of support can be applied in the mental health nursing practice to develop support measures for service users to advance in their studies.

All levels of the community mental health centres should be aware of and adopt a recovery‐oriented approach.MHSUs and professionals need to have a shared opinion on the definition of recovery orientation. This requires mutual discussion and the more active involvement ofMHSUs in the design of their own rehabilitation process.

Introduction

Studies show the importance of providing support for mental health service users’ (MHSUs’) education. However, none of these studies explored this support in the community mental health centre setting. The range ofMHSUs’ educational activities identified in this study varied from participation in courses at the mental health centres to independent studies at different levels of education outside the centres.

Aim

(1) How do mental health professionals perceive the challenges that may limit service users’ potential when they apply for, and complete, their education? (2) How do the professionals describe the methods of rehabilitation aimed at supporting the service users in achieving their educational goals?

Method

The data were collected from 14 mental health professionals using focus group interviews. Inductive content analysis was then performed.

Results

Professionals perceive that the predominance of disease and marginalization may be barriers toMHSUs’ success in education. Strengthening theMHSUs’ internal resources, creating a supportive environment with professional expertise available and service user‐centred education appeared to support theMHSUs’ educational achievements. Our findings confirm previous knowledge of a recovery‐oriented approach to supportMHSUs’ education. However, professionals’ views on this topic in the context of community mental health centres have not been investigated previously.

Discussion

Professionals perceive that a recovery‐oriented approach to rehabilitation may supportMHSUs in their educational efforts.

Implications for practice

A recovery‐oriented approach should be adopted by all levels of the community mental health centres.MHSUs and professionals need to have a shared opinion on the definition of recovery orientation. This requires mutual discussion and a more active involvement ofMHSUs in the design of their own rehabilitation process.