AdvoCard Community Collective Advocacy Peer Research: Experiences of Physical Health Care and Side Effects of Psychiatric / Mental Health Medication

AdvoCard's Community Collective Advocacy is carrying out peer research for the experiences of physical health care & side effects of psychiatric / mental health medication. This is to gather views to improve the care people receive for their physical health issues and to address the side effects of medication.

" People often tell us about two important issues: experiences of physical health care when you have a mental health diagnosis or lived experience of mental health issues; and side effects of psychiatric medication

We are carrying out research to get these experiences down on paper, to identify any common issues and to gather your views about what needs to be done to improve the care people receive for their physical health issues and to address the issue of medication side effects.

The aim of this research isn’t to make a judgment about physical health care in Edinburgh or the pros and cons of medication.  People have different views on these issues and what we want to do is represent those views.

Please note: this is for people who live in Edinburgh and who have lived experience of mental health issues or have used mental health services.

*This is peer research – that means that people with lived experience of mental health issues have planned the research, and we have two peer researchers who both have lived experience who are working with us to carry out the research.*

How to take part

We’ve found that it can be really powerful to be able to relate people’s experiences and views in their own words.  We’ve put together two questionnaires (one for each issue) so that you can help us to do this.

You can fill in one of the questionnaires, or both, whichever is relevant for you.  There are different ways that you can fill in the questionnaires:

• Online
• On your computer
• By hand
• With the help of one of the peer researchers or an AdvoCard worker

If you would like help to fill in your form, please let us know by the end of October so we can arrange a time to meet with you. "

If you would like to take part in this research you can find the questionnaires online - http://www.advocard.org.uk/2018/08/peer-research/

If you would like a printed copy of the questionnaire, would like help to fill in the questionnaire or have any questions, please contact Becky at AdvoCard - becky@advocard.org.uk, 0131 554 5307