The purpose of this article is to present and discuss findings from a qualitative study within mental health centres called 'meeting-places' in the community. Ten service users were interviewed in order to explore and gain insight into what visiting the centres might mean in the daily life situations of people who experience mental health problems. The interviewees were recruited during fieldwork within these centres, aiming to facilitate the inclusion of service users who wished to share their experiences, but who might not otherwise come forward as research participants. Three main themes were identified in the data analysis: 'To belong and be recognized', 'Needs for support and challenges', and 'Participation and everyday life'. Flexible community mental health services can be helpful by offering support and challenges as well as possibilities for mutual relationships. However, the study also highlights a lack of opportunities for participation and recognition in the wider society.

No abstract

This article presents findings from a qualitative study of mental health work in community mental health centres with a multiprofessional workforce and aims of active user participation in the service. User participation implies collaborative relationships and different roles than that of expert professionals and dependent patients. How do professionals working in these services experience their work and professional role? This question was explored in order to highlight important aspects of community mental health work. A group of six experienced professionals from three community mental health centres in a Norwegian city were interviewed twice. The informants highlighted the complexity of community mental health work and the need to be flexible when working to support people with mental health problems in their everyday life situation. To see the service users as people and to facilitate social interaction was important. Their work was described as ‘liberating’ compared to working in institutions. However, although in their experience they found that professional knowledge and skills were important in their work situation, all had experienced that this was not always acknowledged by professionals in other services.