International Journal of Mental Health Nursing (2004) 13, 262–266 FEATURE ARTICLE Research involving mental health consumers and carers: a reference group approach John Lammers and Brenda Happell The Centre for Psychiatric Nursing Research and Practice, School of Nursing, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia ABSTRACT: Policy changes within the mental health system are creating an increasing expectation that service providers increase the opportunities for consumer and carer participation in the planning, delivery and evaluation of mental health services. If they are to reflect this change in philosophy, researchers have an obligation to ensure the involvement of consumers and carers, above and beyond involvement as a participant in all relevant mental health research. This paper describes the establishment and function of a reference group, established to guide and assist with the conduct of a research project examining the experiences of consumers and carers with psychiatric disability support services. The formation and operation of, and the valuable contribution made by, the reference group is discussed. KEY WORDS: Australia, carer participation, consumer participation, empowerment, mental health services, reference group, research. INTRODUCTION The introduction of widespread changes to the structure and delivery of mental health services in Australia has been accompanied by an expectation that consumers of mental health services and their carers be afforded the opportunity for increased participation in the planning, design and delivery of these services (Australian Health Ministers 1992; Commonwealth of Australia 1997). This national vision has been reflected by policy development in the state of Victoria. The Department of Human Services addressed the issue of consumer and carer participation in its Frameworks documents (Victorian Government Department of Health and Community Services 1994; Victorian Government Department of Health and Community Services 1996). These docu- ments are underpinned by the belief that participation in program development and delivery is paramount to achieving not only better services but creating opportuni- ties that effectively empower individuals in relation to their own care. At the very least, consultation is deter- mined to provide a healthy way forward as well as allowing consumers and carers an important opportunity to provide feedback and advice on aspects of services that directly affect them. There is currently a paucity of literature which addresses the extent to which increased participation of consumers and carers in mental health services has resulted from policy changes, particularly in Australia. However, the importance placed on these initiatives by government suggests that research output in this area is likely to increase substantially. Given the desire to strengthen con- sumer and carer participation in all facets of mental health services, including evaluation, it would appear to follow logically that the involvement of consumers and carers be viewed as integral to any such research activity. A review of the literature would suggest that this is not currently the case. There is a paucity of research that emphasizes the importance of consumer participation. The available research literature (Braye & Preston-Shute 1993; Chamberlin et al. 1989; Dickerson 1998; McLean 1995) has highlighted the benefits of consumer participa- tion and explored the strategies and programs that foster empowerment. The authors also identified the negative perceptions and stereotypes associated with mental Correspondence: Brenda Happell, Centre for Psychiatric Nursing Research and Practice, School of Nursing, University of Melbourne, Level 1, 723 Swanston Street, Carlton, Victoria 3010, Australia. Email: b.happell@nursing.unimelb.edu.au J. Lammers, RPN, B Ed, MBA, PhD. B. Happell, RN, BA (Hons), Dip Ed, PhD. Accepted August 2004.