Research education and training for people with lived experience of severe mental illness

The PPI initiative was started during the development of the CHOICE project at Ulster University in partnership with a group of experts by experience within Inspire Wellbeing. We wanted to explore how best to build the research capacity of people with lived experience of severe mental illness. We met over several months to discuss ideas, needs and resources. Based on the principles of self-determination the experts by experience clearly outlined what they would like to know about mental health research, their motivations for research education, and the values and needs of the group members. The meetings are coordinated by GL and colleagues but all the decisions about the direction of the group and its activities are made by the members. The group is chaired by an expert, and minutes of each meeting is recorded and circulated.