Implementation of a mental health consumer academic position: Benefits and challenges.

PURPOSE: Academic positions for consumers of mental health services remain rare despite positive evaluation. This paper considers the benefits and challenges of a consumer academician position, from perspectives of stakeholders involved in the implementation.

DESIGN AND METHODS: Qualitative, exploratory involving in-depth interviews with academicians. Thematic analysis identified the main benefits and challenges.

FINDINGS: Benefits identified included lived experience perspective and facilitates interaction and reflection; demonstrating recovery and promoting person centered care. Challenges identified included process, too close to home, and too little too late.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Enhanced understanding of consumer academician positions could increase effectiveness and maximize educational opportunity.