The myth of representation: The case for consumer leadership

Abstract

Australian government policy now embodies a clear expectation that consumers should be participants in all aspects of mental health services. A number of barriers have been identified as inhibiting the realisation of this goal, with the negative attitudes of professional staff being recognised as a major factor. A more pervasive barrier with the potential to minimise the positive developments in consumer participation is the issue of representation. It has been claimed that consumers who are actively involved in participatory roles are not necessarily representative of the broader population of mental health consumers. The paucity of literature makes this argument difficult to either defend ..