Table 3.

Service user involvement in Ethiopia: participatory research for mental health systems strengthening

Sisay Abayneh: Ph.D. student in Mental Health Epidemiology, Addis Ababa University

This Ph.D. study is located in Sodo district, south central Ethiopia, where the Programme for Improving Mental health carE is supporting the implementation of integrated mental health care (Fekadu et al. 2016). A Theory of Change framework is being employed to engage all relevant stakeholders in identifying the desired outcomes of the programme and the pathways to the achieving these outcomes, as well as indicators of success. Service users, caregivers, service providers and health facility managers will work collaboratively with researchers to oversee the study design and conduct, and the analysis and interpretation of findings. The purpose is to ensure a participatory approach and to facilitate a common understanding amongst the stakeholders.