JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

eMental health resources are increasingly available for people who experience severe mental illness. This population are also consumers of community mental health services. However, the potential for consumers living with severe mental illness to use eMental health resources together with their community mental health worker has received little attention.

Objective:

The aim of this study was to explore consumers’ and workers’ experiences of jointly using an interactive website called Self-Management And Recovery Technology (SMART).

Methods:

A qualitative study was conducted using a constructivist grounded theory methodology. Data were collected in individual semi-structured interviews with 37 consumers and 15 workers who used the SMART website together for two to six months. Data analysis involved iterative phases of coding, constant comparison, memo writing, theoretical sampling and consultation with stakeholders to support the study’s credibility.

Results:

A substantive grounded theory: ‘discovering ways to keep life on track’ was developed that portrays a shared discovery process arising from the consumer-worker-SMART website interactions. The discovery process included: choosing to use the website; revealing consumers’ experiences; exploring these experiences; and gaining new perspectives on how consumers did and could keep their lives on track. Consumers and workers experienced the shared discovery process as relationship building: their interactions when using the website together were more engaging and more equal.

Conclusions:

Jointly using an eMental health resource elicited recovery-supporting interactions and processes between consumers and mental health workers that strengthened their alliance in real-world community mental health services. Further work to develop and integrate this novel use of eMental health in community mental health practice is warranted. Clinical Trial: Not applicable.