In
1999, members of Connections began
to develop a community-based non-profit
research group, in collaboration
with a local organization called the
Self-Help Connection. The
result is a group separate from
Connections but which is led by
members and their peers dedicated to
being more educated and active in participatory
action research and evaluation.
MHARC
= Mental Health Action
Research Connection
|
|
... a community research group
that seeks
to build mental health consumer capacity
and to make a difference
through PAR —
participatory
action research. |
Through
MHARC, more than 50 people with
mental illness have received
consumer-led training in PAR,
including people from Truro and Cape
Breton. Many mental health
professionals also have been trained
through formal workshops and
conference
presentations.
MHARC's
community researchers have carried
out professional grants and
contracts. Their influence has supported other
members and organizations to acknowledge and respect their true capacities,
demonstrating the power of consumer leadership
integrating mental health with
community life.
