Young people's experiences of being involved in quality improvement of youth mental health services

Abstract

Abstract Background: There is a worldwide concern regarding young people’s mental health and the complexities of designing mental health services to meet these challenges. By integrating user knowledge in the design of mental health services, the services will be better suited to meet the distinctive requirements of youth, as well as uphold their entitlement to participate and influence. Yet, a dearth of knowledge exists concerning the experiences of young people engaged in organizational-level user involvement within mental health services. This study delves into the viewpoints of young people with experience from mental health services, exploring their perceived advantages and challenges related to their involvement in the enhancement of mental health services’ quality. Methods: A qualitative study with in-depth interviews and thematic analysis were conducted. Ten young, experienced users participated in the study. Results: Youth user involvement in quality improvement of mental health services yielded notable benefits experienced as fostering personal recovery. Simultaneously, this involvement entailed challenging responsibilities. The participants experienced challenges associated with navigating their personal memories and expressing concern for their peers. The success of user involvement was closely associated with open-minded cooperative healthcare professionals, facilitation within the services, and provision of support for the young participants. Conclusions: This study elucidates perceived benefits and challenges related to user involvement at an organizational level. It identifies pivotal conditions to success and underscores the value of incorporating user experience in the improvement of services, not only to create services tailored to the needs of youth but also to instill a positive self-identity and empower those participating. Recognizing the value of experienced users in quality improvement of the services will promote development of youth-friendly services. As young people engaged as experienced users also encounter challenges, it holds significant importance that healthcare services aiming to adhere to directives and recommendations for user involvement recognize the attendant responsibilities this endeavor entails.