Understanding the challenge of a widening access framework within mental health
Higher Education, Skills and Work-Based Learning
ISSN: 2042-3896
Article publication date: 30 September 2013
Abstract
Purpose
This paper recognises that Government policy in the UK is increasingly moving toward greater inclusion of education in mental health (MH) recovery. This research will support this move by offering evidence of innovative practice involving service-users, HE curriculum delivery and research experiences, within MH.
Design/methodology/approach
This is the early stages of the first cycle of an action research model which uses participant led research, supported by HE, community and MH teams promoting positive MH and wellbeing.
Findings
Early findings will demonstrate how BeWEHL (Bettering Wellbeing, Education, Health and Lifestyle) has been effective at raising confidence, reducing clinical dependency but above all, raising aspirations for learning among all those service-users involved in this project.
Research limitations/implications
While the outcomes of this research are very positive, and do show some significant, early potential for using HE as an intervention strategy for engaging service-users in additional learning, these findings are premised on small numbers and as such a bigger sample will be needed.
Practical implications
MH is poses significant challenges to retention and submissions. Equally, recruitment is, to a large extent, reliant on clinical teams posing dilemmas to ongoing student promotion.
Originality/value
This paper will be of interest to those working within widening access, MH, other researchers, service-users and others interested in or working within holistic care plans.
Keywords
Citation
Richardson, M. and McCarthy, K. (2013), "Understanding the challenge of a widening access framework within mental health", Higher Education, Skills and Work-Based Learning, Vol. 3 No. 3, pp. 196-206. https://doi.org/10.1108/HESWBL-06-2012-0013
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2013, Emerald Group Publishing Limited