Table 2.

Summary of identified consequences of service user involvement

Service user‐centred	Service‐centred	Societal
Self‐determination & increased autonomy	Evidence‐based decision making	Reduced stigma and social inclusion
Increased confidence	Patient satisfaction	Provision of improved mental health services
Personal development	Feedback about services to enable tailoring to needs	Reduced burden of mental health difficulties
Positive experience of care	Improved quality of services	Increased participation of service users in society
Positive view of staff	Meeting policy goals	Increased understanding of mental health difficulties
Decreased feeling of powerlessness and dependency	Improved communication
Social inclusion	Promotion of best practice
Improved morale & self‐esteem	Raised awareness of service user perspectives
Knowledge	Increased job satisfaction
Improved communication	Reduced complaints
Developed understanding of mental health professionals	Better working relationships
May be therapeutic & aid recovery	More likelihood of engagement with treatment and care plans
Empowerment	Changed attitudes of mental health professionals