An Introduction to User/Survivor Research in Mental Health

Trainer: Jayasree Kalathil    Jayasree Kalathil is a researcher, writer and activist in mental health with over 15 years of experience. She runs the virtual collective, Survivor Research www.survivor-research.com

The slogan ‘nothing about us without us’ is a familiar one to anyone interested in the full and democratic participation of people affected by any given policy, programme or service in its development and delivery. It is, however, more difficult to apply to what we think of as ‘knowledge’. This course will introduce trainees to the field of user/survivor research; its history, relevance and contributions to our knowledge about mental health, madness and recovery; key concepts and methods; and how to make user/survivor-led research and evaluation a meaningful part of the work you do. For mental health service users attending the course, it will help explore study and experience avenues leading to becoming a researcher.

Topics include:

• Introductions and housekeeping
• What is user/survivor research? How is it part of or different from user involvement in research?
• User/survivor research in the UK: Emergence, history, key moments
• Power and knowledge: Critically thinking about ‘expertise’ and the role of experience, activism, identity, narratives
• Methods, ethics, inclusive practice
• Participants’ reflections on being user/survivor researchers or collaborating with user/survivor researchers in their work

The format will include presentations, discussions, group exercises and reflection sessions. The course is aimed at mental health user/survivors and activists interested in research and mental health practitioners who want to develop their collaborative work with user/survivor researchers.

FEES:

• £12:  Unwaged
• £90:  Voluntary organisations and waged unfunded individuals
• £120: Statutory & commercial organisations (including NHS, Council & Private)

You can pay using the following methods: 

1. A) Online via EVENTBRITE
2. B) If you or your organisation cannot pay online, please contact John to book your place and request an invoice, on 020 7241 8978  or email jwetherell@mindincamden.org.uk
3. C) Cheques payable to ‘Mind in Camden’. Please send to John Wetherell, Mind in Camden, Barnes House, 9-15 Camden Rd, NW1 9LQ (please mark clearly what it is for).

For more information on booking, please contact:

John Wetherell
Project Assistant
Mind in Camden, Barnes House, 9-15 Camden Rd, London, NW1 9LQ
020 7241 8978 | jwetherell@mindincamden.org.uk