This corner piece highlights the importance of involving people with lived experience of mental health problems in co-production. By doing this, your organisation can truly hear and understand your people's needs, and be able to design and deliver activities to meet them.
“The development and promotion of opportunities in order that a diverse range of people, with lived experience of a mental health problem, influence and participate in our work.” (Mind's definition of lived experience involvement)
Ways in which you can do this include:
Inviting people with lived experience to be a part of a Wellbeing Action Group.
Asking for input from people with lived experience in your tracking process.
Refer to our guide on Involving people with lived experience of mental health problems in the design and delivery of your work for more information.
There are many ways you can involve people with lived experience in your work. The method you choose will depend on time, level of involvement, support and budget.
You can use a variety of methods to enable people to influence and participate in your work:
Discussion and focus groups
Working and steering groups
When we continue to use the same language and terminology, we reach the same audience. This can lead to excluding communities that don’t engage with your usual style of communication.
Talk to people and ask them how they would like to engage them in your work.
Include people from different communities and backgrounds to co-design your key messaging.
Examples of films and blogs:
The Rugby Players’ Association “Lift the Weight” film.
Make a commitment
Track your journey
Involve people meaningfully
Integrate mental health
Be person- centred
Connect & collaborate
Improve knowledge & confidence
Champion mental health
Spot, support & signpost