Working with ‘Experts by Experience’

1. Working with ‘Experts by Experience’ Skills and attitudes needed to work effectively with users of mental health services

2. A person not a diagnosis • First: Look at the person as a person • Then: Look at how the mental health issue is affecting his or her ability to function effectively

3. Ability not to make assumptions • “This person is bipolar so they will spend money recklessly” • “This person is a paranoid schizophrenic so they will think everyone is out to get them” • “This person is psychotic so is probably violent”

4. SKILLs - communication / self awareness • Be aware of own biases • Be aware of own values • Try to work in partnership - work with service users rather than doing to • Car Park Game?

5. EMpowerment Suggested definition: Working in partnership with a user of mental health services to enable that person to achieve their maximum mental wellbeing

6. EMpowerment includes: • Working with someone so that he or she takes calculated risks- so difficult to move from the lower end of the mental health continuum • Enabling someone to become motivated and to actually do something they didn’t believe they were capable of • Enabling someone to gain or regain a feeling of self worth

7. COMMUNICATION / ASSESSMENT / reflection • Need to know what you need to know – active listening skills to gather relevant information • Don’t jump in too soon: Listen: Reflect: Analyse: Act • Know how to use professional authority to empower, not disempower • Be prepared to relinquish professional power to empower service user – how?

8. When in conversation with someone with mental health problems • Try to see things from their perspective (empathy) • Use active listening skills to communicate effectively • Show respect for their viewpoint • Be non-judgemental • Don’t take things personally

9. Taking the concept of Empathy to a whole new level • Engaging effectively-being interested in the other person and not half-hearted • Being respectful and non-judgmental • Identifying and understanding the other person’s perspective and emotions and conveying to the person that you do understand • Not getting over-involved emotionally – so remaining clear sighted and not wearing yourself out • Being empathic not sympathetic – don’t take on their distress as though it belongs to you

10. SELF-CARE AND SELF-MANAGEMENT • Look after yourself – don’t get too emotionally involved or take another person’s problems home with you • Work / Life Balance important to function effectively • Be aware that from day to day, week to week the person you are working with may be at a different point on the mental health continuum – but also that you might be at a different point yourself