The National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD) recognizes that former mental patients/mental health consumers have a unique contribution to make to the improvement of the quality of mental health services in many arenas of the service delivery system. The significance of their unique contributions stems from expertise they have gained as recipients of mental health services, in addition to whatever formal education and credentials they may have.
Their contribution should be valued and sought in areas of program development, policy formation, program evaluation, quality assurance, system designs, education of mental health service providers, and the provision of direct services (as employees of the provider system). Therefore, expatients/consumers should be included in meaningful numbers in all of these activities. In order to maximize their potential contributions, their involvement should be supported in ways that promote dignity, respect, acceptance, integration, and choice. Support provided should include whatever financial, educational, or social assistance is required to enable their participation. Additionally, client-operated self-help and mutual support services should be available in each locality as alternatives and adjuncts to existing mental health service delivery systems. State financial support should be provided to ensure their viability and independence.