Decision making in mental health

Methods

Appraisal Tool (MMAT). The results suggest that people with psychosis and mood problems may benefit from support to understand, appreciate and reason when approaching treatment decisions. Recommendations for future research include the importance of addressing methodological issues and exploring decision making capacity in people with common mental health problems like anxiety.

Achieving this may contribute to guidance on where decision making support should be targeted in mental health practice as the MacCAT-T assesses four decision making capabilities that correspond with common clinical and legal standards of mental capacity.<br><br>The second empirical paper investigates how people who experience mental health problems can be supported to make decisions. The study outlined used a Delphi methodology to gain a consensus from a group of 23 experts, who have published writing in the area, on the essential components of and barriers to support with decision making in mental health services.

Consensus was gained on 13 essential components of support with decision making, which were from four overarching themes. Consensus was also gained on three barriers, from one overarching theme, that are considered essential for services to address in order to implement this support. These findings may serve as useful guidance to all stakeholders involved in mental health services, including those who access services and professionals working in the area.

It is hoped that the findings can contribute to the development of policy and best practice guidelines on supported decision making in mental health contexts.<br>