Active collaboration with people who have lived experience of mental distress and caring – a needs analysis of a mental health service

Objective This lived experience-led needs analysis seeks to align a public mental health service with best practice, which compels mental health services to demonstrate active collaboration (co-design, co-production and co-leadership) with consumers and carers on an individual and systems level.Method This project aimed to develop recommendations to increase active collaboration in a public mental health service. A mixed-methods needs analysis was guided by the Lived Experience Pebbles Collaborative Leadership Committee (PCLC). It included a staff survey and focus groups with local mental health consumers, carers and PCLC members.Results A staff survey (n = 24), focus groups with consumers (n = 6), carers (n = 3) and PCLC members (n = 9) were conducted. Five key lived experience needs were identified: (i) an increased understanding of lived experience in the service; (ii) continued and increased engagement with lived experience; (iii) widespread culture shift; (iv) greater collaboration around consumer choice and control and (v) celebrating achievements and growth.Discussion We recommend addressing consumer and carer needs as a routine part of service delivery and development. This can be achieved through increased active collaboration and lived experience leadership (e.g. PCLC) as well as on a service user level by promoting choice and control.