Authors: Sam Battams, SA
Year: 2008
Event: 2008 TheMHS Conference
Subject: CONSUMER ROLES, ADVOCACY,MANAGEMENT, ADMINISTRATION, POLICY,RESEARCH, EVALUATION, QUALITY IMPROVEMENT
Type of resource: Conference Presentations and Papers
ISBN: 9780975765340
Abstract: This paper presents the findings of a study which examined NGO and consumer participation and representation within policy processes in South Australia over the Mental Health Reform period (2000-2005). The focus was on the development of policy aimed at housing outcomes for people with a psychiatric disability. The study found a number of barriers to people with a psychiatric disability, carers and NGOs participating in and influencing policy agenda setting and development processes. The study recommends a range of strategies to enhance community participation and representation in policy processes and policy agenda setting for housing outcomes. These include the development of cross-sectoral policy networks outside of government contracting arrangements, representation of people with a psychiatric disability in ‘other sectors’, cross sectoral policy development and forums involving service users, cross-sectoral accountability mechanisms, challenges to ‘consumerist’ and ‘medical discourses’ affecting the scope of participation activity, and strategies to address stigma affecting this policy environment.
This resource is only available for subscribers. If you have a subscription, please log in. Otherwise, click here to purchase a subscription.