What's happening with consumer participation?

Abstract

Consumer empowerment, both individually and within the service, is a growing trend in mental health. This trend is such that consumers are having more input into the service being provided. Shared control is a wave of the future, thereby increasing consumer empowerment not only within the service but within our own lives. The road is long and there are many bumps along the way for both the consumer and the health worker, yet the results of consumers leading quality lifestyles gives other consumers hope that they too can be capable of being active participants rather than relying on others to take care of them.