Turning recovery principles into practice through leadership: Team collaboration in establishing a socially inclusive community mental health service in Cork City, Ireland

Abstract

Purpose

The paper aims to describe and discuss the development of a new and innovative community based mental health service.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper demonstrates how a team developed its ethos, formed links and provided leadership in establishing a socially inclusive community model of mental health care provision in a suburban area of Cork City, Ireland. Key factors which influenced and facilitated the development and implementation of the initiative will be highlighted, including demographic details of the local area, the results of the internal audit, the resource implications, and the collaborative style of the team. The change model used by the team used will be briefly outlined. The key processes and outcomes will be described, discussed and reflected upon.

Findings

Flexible, creative and collaborative leadership qualities, together with a good appreciation of knowledge of local communities, can create positive synergies in establishing effective relationships across diverse groups in developing a socially inclusive community mental health service.

Originality/value

This paper adds value to appreciating and understanding the wealth of social capital in local communities in fostering community mental health care integration across diverse groups.

Citation

McCarthy, D., Kerrisk, M. and Gijbels, H. (2012), "Turning recovery principles into practice through leadership: Team collaboration in establishing a socially inclusive community mental health service in Cork City, Ireland", International Journal of Leadership in Public Services, Vol. 8 No. 1, pp. 21-32. https://doi.org/10.1108/17479881211230646