CONSUMER RESEARCH AND EVALUATION UNIT

Creating Opportunities for Consumers to Participate in Mental Health Research and Evaluation

Consumer involvement in research and evaluation is a contemporary advancement in mental health system reform and improvement, which contributes to building the knowledge of mental health with a consumer-centred approach. Understanding the diversity of consumer perspectives is the strength of our team. All members of the Unit are consumers with direct experiences of mental health issues and with various qualifications and experiences in research and evaluation. We endeavour to provide valid, reliable and trustworthy research and evaluation findings with high ethical standards to ensure the quality of information through rigorous quantitative and/or qualitative methodologies. We believe that the processes of research and evaluation are just as important as the outcomes. We respect research participants and value their experience-based expertise.

Our Values:

-Empowerment

Consumers are highly valued for their participation and contributions, which can really make a difference

-Partnership

Consumers are meaningfully involved as equal partners in the process of research and evaluation

-Commitment

We are committed to improving consumer experiences of care and support

-Recovery

Reflecting the needs, priorities and expectations of consumers, and to promote recovery-oriented mental health research and evaluation

-Transparency

All parties are fully informed on the progress of research and evaluation and provided with valid, reliable and trustworthy information and reports.

The Consumer Research and Evaluation Unit currently receives funding from the Victorian Department of Human Services to conduct an evaluation pilot project of Consumer and Carer Experience. The project involves eight mental health services across Victoria. The process of the project is innovative and exciting. A meaningful consumer and carer focused approach takes this project into a new paradigm and gains national and international attention. Consumer Research and Evaluation Unit is committed to promoting consumer participation in mental health service improvement and aims to become the national centre of consumer research and evaluation.

Contact Mr. Lei.Ning for more information.

Phone: 03 9387 8317 Fax: 03 9388 1445 E-mail: projectmanager@vmiac.com.au