An innovative project to integrate citizenship into mental health practice.
About the project
The Citizenship as Mental Health project, funded by the State Research Agency’s 2021 Call for Knowledge Generation Projects, explores how mental health is intrinsically linked to citizenship. We define citizenship as people’s connection to five key dimensions: rights, responsibilities, roles, resources, and relationships. Our goal is to transform mental health practice towards a rights-based approach, reducing the stigma associated with mental distress.
Project objectives
- Explore the concept of citizenship and its relationship to mental health.
- Validate a measure of citizenship adapted to the Spanish context through participatory research.
- Develop a scalable awareness manual for healthcare professionals.
- Implement awareness-raising interventions in real clinical settings.
Results
Concept exploration
We have carried out 26 focus groups with organisations of users, relatives and professionals, identifying key issues such as autonomy, sense of belonging and marginalisation.
Instrument validation
80 definitions of citizenship were analyzed in 8 conceptual mapping sessions, advancing in the validation of a measure adapted to our context.
Awareness handbook
In spring 2024, a drafting committee made up of users, family members and professionals held two meetings to develop a manual that will be scalable to other contexts.
Professional training
We are implementing training activities with health professionals in real clinical settings.
Join our initiative!
We are carrying out training activities with mental health professionals to promote a citizenship-based approach. If you are interested in participating or would like more information, please contact us.
Our Team
Principal Investigator
Investigator
Technician
Featured publications
Ball, C., y Eiroa-Orosa, F. J. (2024). A Meta-Synthesis of qualitative studies on Citizenship and Mental Health. Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine. [Open access]
Eiroa-Orosa, F. J., y Pradillo-Caimari, C. (2024). A qualitative study exploring mental health professionals’ perspectives, opinions, and attitudes on the state of service users’ rights. Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine. [Open access]
Eiroa-Orosa, F. J. (2023). Citizenship as mental health. A study protocol for a randomised trial of awareness interventions for mental health professionals. Journal of Public Mental Health, 22(3), 117–126. [Postprint]
Eiroa-Orosa, F. J., y MacIntyre, G. (2023). Editorial: From individual to collective: bridging the gap between clinical practice and public policies. Frontiers in Psychology, 14. [Open access]
Eiroa-Orosa, F. J., Nord-Baade, S. L., y Rowe, M. (2022). Citizenship-based care: Where it stands and where it might go. WAPR Bulletin, 49(December), 37–44. [Open access]