January 17, 2001

Participatory Dialogues: A Guide to Organizing Interactive Discussions on Mental Health Issues among Consumers, Providers, and Family Members

In July 1997, the Center for Mental Health Services convened at a meeting with Consumers and Psychiatrists in Dialogue. The meeting brought together twenty individuals who were equally divided between current and former recipients of services, and psychiatrists. This historic meeting provided opportunities for people to explore uncharted territory through communication exchange. Recommendations that came out of the meetings are discussed in this report, written by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. These recommendations include dialogues to be replicated among other constituencies at state and local levels, and for a written report to be distributed to a wide mental health community; to create a manual for people to learn how to create similar dialogues and forms of clear communication.