Work

Utilising co‐design to develop a lived experience informed personal safety tool within a mental health community rehabilitation setting

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Mental health personal safety tools aim to promote a recovery focus and empower an individualised approach to consumer care. These clinical tools are predominantly utilised in acute mental health settings with a person during or straight after a crisis. There is currently a gap in the literature regarding the preparation of personal safety tools in non-acute mental health settings. This descriptive article discusses the learnings and outcomes from a co-designed project that aimed to develop a personal safety tool suitable for a community mental health rehabilitation setting. METHODS: Seven people with lived experience engaging within a mental health community-based rehabilitation service were recruited through convenience sampling to participate in the co-design project. A focus group approach was utilised during four group meetings to develop a personal safety tool template. Experiences and ideas about safety planning were transcribed during meetings and thematic analysis extracted key themes. Five steps underpinned the co-design process that included identifying the need, establishing the co-design group, planning, design and development, and review and closure. CONSUMER AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Consumer involvement commenced at step two of the co-design process. The completed personal safety tool was designed with consumer input and review. FINDINGS: The personal safety tool consisted of nine intervention components. Four key themes emerged from focus group meetings that informed the content of the tool: (i) ensuring the personal safety tool is individualised and meaningful, (ii) promoting exploration of personal strengths and interests, (iii) enabling opportunities to learn self-management skills, and (iv) treating the personal safety tool as a dynamic and adaptable tool. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that a personal safety tool targeted to a mental health community-based rehabilitation setting should have an individualised and preventative focus to mental health care. Embedding co-design principles can support opportunities for meaningful consumer engagement and establishing consumer and clinician partnerships.

Source: Australian Occupational Therapy Journal

DOI: 10.1111/1440-1630.12988

Authors: Anna Francis, Amily Le, Karen Adams‐Leask, Nicholas Procter

Institutions: SA Health, Central Adelaide Local Health Network, University of South Australia

Language: English

Topic: Mental Health and Patient Involvement

Subfield: General Health Professions

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,300