Healthcare professionals and service user's perception of mental health support workers

Abstract

As a part of the ongoing investigation of how mental health support workers are perceived in a New Zealand context this paper explores the perceptions of healthcare professionals and service users. Both healthcare professionals and service users have a significant impact and are impacted by this paraprofessional group. As such it is fundamental to include their viewpoint in order to develop a credible conceptualisation of the mental health support work role within New Zealand.