In recent years, the need for patient and public involvement in medical research has been accepted around the world. Patient groups are gaining power and demanding their right to influence the direction of research, while funding bodies are increasingly regarding patient involvement as a requirement for grant applications. However, current knowledge on how to involve service users in mental health research is sparse and dispersed. This book provides clear guidance on best practice in this area, with practical advice based on experience in countries around the world.

Handbook of Service User Involvement in Mental Health Research describes the background and principles underlying the concept of service user involvement in mental health research; it provides relevant practical advice on how to engage with service users and how to build and maintain research collaboration on a professional level. The book highlights common practical problems in service user involvement, suggesting ways to avoid pitfalls and common difficulties.

• Combines the theoretical aspects of service user involvement in research with specific examples, as well as with general practical guidelines
• Represents the views of service users, in a powerful combination with the views of other mental health professionals
• Considers the different perspectives and needs of the stakeholders concerned
• Includes a step by step guide on best practice in successful service user involvement.

Handbook of Service User Involvement in Mental Health Research is written for psychiatrists and other medical professionals managing people with psychiatric disorders, as well as for researchers in the mental health field who want to develop projects with service user involvement. It is vital reading for funding bodies requesting service user involvement, and – importantly – is written for those service users who are interested in becoming involved in research.