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Getting to know you: reflections on a specialist independent mental health advocacy service for Bexley and Bromley residents in forensic settings

David Palmer (Bsed at Mind in Bexley, London, UK)
John Nixon (Based at Mind in Bexley, London, UK)
Simone Reynolds (Based at Mind in Bexley, London, UK)
Anastasia Panayiotou (Based at Mind in Bexley, London, UK)
Antje Palmer (Based at Mind in Bexley, London, UK)
Ruth Meyerowitz (Based at Mind in Bexley, London, UK)

Mental Health Review Journal

ISSN: 1361-9322

Article publication date: 23 March 2012

346

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to discuss an audit evaluation of a specialist independent mental health advocacy service based in the London Borough of Bexley.

Design/methodology/approach

The audit included qualitative interviews with ten service users, resident in two specialist forensic mental health and challenging behaviour units. All participants were long‐term in‐patient residents. A number of ethical issues required consideration, in particular respondent confidentiality and informed consent.

Findings

Findings indicate that the service's approach, which combines formal advocacy methods with a proactive ethos, had a positive impact on engagement. The importance of trust in the relationships between advocates and service users was also highlighted by the study and is discussed here. The audit also indicates a significant increase in self‐reported wellbeing, self‐efficacy and empowerment for participants. Given that enhancing personal empowerment is one of the primary objectives of the advocacy service, the positive wellbeing outcomes reported are encouraging.

Research limitations/implications

The paper relies on a small number of individuals. There is no attempt to claim representativeness or endeavour to generalise from the findings.

Originality/value

It is recommended that, in the absence of a comprehensive national evidence base, the advocacy needs of patients in forensic and specialist settings be constantly reviewed. Additionally, further action research, to inform educational material and guides for advocacy in specialist settings, may be beneficial and timely.

Keywords

Citation

Palmer, D., Nixon, J., Reynolds, S., Panayiotou, A., Palmer, A. and Meyerowitz, R. (2012), "Getting to know you: reflections on a specialist independent mental health advocacy service for Bexley and Bromley residents in forensic settings", Mental Health Review Journal, Vol. 17 No. 1, pp. 5-13. https://doi.org/10.1108/13619321211231761

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2012, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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