Engaging service users
Great mental health services help people recover. Te Pou assists services to understand how well they support recovery by using outcome measures and other mental health information. We also support, engage and encourage the sector to be active in information collection and use.
Recovery focused services need to monitor and measure changes in service users’ well-being. This information informs on-going quality improvements in services. Outcome measurement that is done well provides a map of the effect of mental health services. Outcome measurement focuses on changes in people’s well-being. It is more recovery focused than measuring inputs and outputs alone.
When the mental health workforce understands the importance of service user participation and input, the quality and quantity of mental health information improves. Te Pou promotes collaborative uses of mental health information. Using tools that measure changes in service users' health, wellbeing and circumstances over time supports recovery, ensures services are culturally responsive and that comprehensive assessments are completed.
Comprehensive assessment practices and effective engagement are fundamental to collecting valid and reliable data. Understanding the principles behind measuring service users’ outcomes ensures that collection, analysis and use of activity and outcomes information contributes to better outcomes for service users.
Te Pou provides updates and information to service users about outcome developments through its training days, e-bulletin, networks, forums, meetings and conferences. Resources such as those listed below also raise awareness about mental health outcomes and information.
