Something special, something unique: Perspectives of experts by experience in mental health nursing education on their contribution
Authors: Happell Brenda , Warner Terri , Waks Shifra , O'Donovan Aine , Manning Fionnuala , Doody Rory , Greaney Sonya , Goodwin John , Hals Elisabeth , Griffin Martha , Scholz Brett , Granerud Arild , Platania‐Phung Chris , Russell Siobhan , MacGabhann Liam , Pulli Jarmo , Vatula Annaliina , van der Vaart Kornelis Jan , Allon Jerry , Bjornsson Einar , Ellilä Heikki , Lahti Mari , Biering Pall 
Published: May 2021

Accessible Summary

What is known on the subject

Expert by Experience participation in mental health services is embedded in mental health policy in many countries. The negative attitudes of nurses and other health professionals to consumer participation poses a significant obstacle to this policy goal.

Involving mental health Experts by Experience in the education of nursing students demonstrates positive attitudinal change.

What the paper adds to existing knowledge

The paper presents perspectives from Experts by Experience about the unique knowledge and expertise they derive from their lived experience of mental distress and mental health service use. As a result, they can make a unique and essential contribution to mental health nursing education. They utilize this knowledge to create an interactive learning environment and encourage critical thinking.

The international focus of this research enriches understandings about how Experts by Experience might be perceived in a broader range of countries.

What are the implications for practice

Mental health policy articulates the importance of service user involvement in all aspects of mental health service delivery. This goal will not be fully achieved without nurses having positive attitudes towards experts by experience as colleagues.

Positive attitudes are more likely to develop when nurses understand and value the contribution experts by experience bring by virtue of their unique knowledge and expertise. This paper provides some important insights to achieving this end.

Introduction

Embedding lived experience in mental health nursing education is increasing, with research findings suggesting the impact is positive. To date, research has primarily targeted the perspectives of nursing students and academics from the health professions.

Aim

To enhance understanding of the unique knowledge and expertise experts by experience contribute to mental health nursing education.

Methods

Qualitative exploratory research methods were employed. In‐depth individual interviews were conducted with experts by experience who delivered a coproduced learning module to nursing students in Europe and Australia.

Results

Participants described their unique and essential contribution to mental health nursing education under four main themes: critical thinking, beyond textbooks; interactive and open communication; understanding personal recovery; and mental health is health.

Conclusions

These findings present an understanding of the unique knowledge and expertise Experts by Experience contribute to mental health education not previously addressed in the literature. Appreciating and respecting this, unique contribute is necessary as Expert by Experience contributions continue to develop.

Implications for Practice

Mental health services purport to value service user involvement. Identifying and respecting and valuing the unique contribution they bring to services is essential. Without this understanding, tokenistic involvement may become a major barrier.