Eric R. Hardiman, PhD, School of Social Welfare, University at Albany, State University of New York, 135 Western Ave., Richardson 281, Albany, NY 12222, 518-442-5705, hardiman@albany.edu

Although consumer-run mental health services have emerged in recent years as a viable mechanism to serve individuals with psychiatric disabilities, a gap exists between their proliferation and the necessary awareness and utilization of referrals to such organizations by traditional providers. Often stigmatized and devalued in the professional marketplace, their success depends upon effective relationships with providers. The objective of this study was to obtain a comprehensive picture of providers' awareness of and attitudes toward consumer-run services, along with their utilization of referrals to and collaboration with such programs. A national mail survey of mental health practitioners was conducted, with respondents (N=301) randomly drawn from the professional membership lists of the National Association of Social Workers, American Psychological Association, and the American Psychiatric Association. Attitudes toward the psychiatric recovery model, a conceptual cornerstone of many consumer-operated services, were also measured with the Recovery Attitude Questionnaire (RAQ-7). Bivariate analyses were conducted and logistic regression was used to predict referral to consumer-operated programs. While awareness of consumer-run programs was relatively high, the data confirm a gap between knowledge of such resources and the use of actual client referrals. Findings indicate that both individual and organizational level factors were able to predict referral utilization and suggest that mental health professionals need to be aware of emerging avenues for consumer involvement in service delivery and opportunities for referral to and collaboration with consumer-run organizations. Implications for the organization and delivery of mental health services will be discussed.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to

• Articulate the study’s core findings about mental health professionals’ knowledge and utilization of referrals to consumer-operated organizations for their clients.
• Identify individual and organizational level factors contributing to the likelihood of engagement in referral activity to consumer-operated organizations.
• Identify at least three benefits of increased collaboration between traditional mental health providers and consumer-operated programs.
• Discuss the implications of the study findings for the organization and delivery of mental health services, including barriers and challenges to collaboration.

Keywords: Peer Counselors, Mental Health Services

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.