How do you do co-creation in mental health?

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People have the right to participate in decisions and processes which affect them, and there is a growing demand for the systematic protection of this right for people with lived experience of mental health problems. People with lived experience have had few opportunities to participate in creating policies and services that meet their needs, and when they are involved, they are listed under ‘acknowledgments’, not ‘co-authors’. They are denied an opportunity to own these policies and services, despite their having a direct impact on people’s mental health and well-being.

Mental Health Europe defines co-creation in mental health as “a collaborative approach involving all actors in mental health working together on an equal basis to develop and implement policies, services, programmes, and communication that foster positive mental health according to a psychosocial model and human rights-based approach.”

Co-creation must be the standard. Co-creation benefits people with lived experience by reducing stigma and discrimination related to mental health, promoting self-efficacy and self-esteem, increasing mental health literacy, and making sure that their real needs are taken into account. At the same time, it makes mental health systems more effective and accessible by

• enabling more effective forms of support for people experiencing mental ill health
• increasing the availability and value of interventions to prevent mental health conditions and promote well-being.

But how is it done? How can you do it?

This European Public Health Week, which coincides with European Mental Health Week, WHO Regional Office for Europe and Mental Health Europe are hosting a webinar exploring this question. Over 1.5 hours, people with lived experience, public health professionals, and experts will examine co-creation from the ground up, asking what it takes to start, and more importantly, how to keep it going.

Join us on 14 May at 10:00–11:30 CEST