Empowering Mental Health Management: A Participatory Approach for Black Communities Using Psychological Ownership

TL;DR

This study explores how psychological ownership can empower Black British communities to better manage their mental health through culturally specific and participatory approaches.

Contribution

The paper introduces psychological ownership as a novel framework for understanding and improving mental health empowerment in Black British communities.

Findings

Psychological ownership helps frame mental health empowerment through motives like self-identity and control.

Culturally grounded spaces and peer support are crucial for mental health management in Black communities.

Participatory design workshops led to actionable intervention concepts for equitable mental health services.

Abstract

Black British communities experience significant mental health disparities, driven by systemic racism, stigma and a lack of culturally competent care. Psychological ownership (PO) – the sense that something is ‘mine’ – offers a novel framework for understanding mental health empowerment and participatory care. This study examines PO as a lens for unpacking barriers and opportunities for empowerment and translating these insights into participatory design solutions.

We conducted semi‐structured interviews and co‐design workshops with Black British mental health service users and staff at a culturally specific recovery service. Using PO theory, we analysed participants' motives (efficacy and effectance, self‐identity, and having a place to dwell) and routes (control, intimate knowledge, and self‐investment) for taking ownership of their mental health management.

Key findings confirmed the usefulness of framing understanding mental health empowerment from the perspective of psychological ownership and revealed the importance of culturally grounded spaces, peer support, and participatory decision‐making. Co‐design workshops further contextualised these findings, resulting in actionable intervention concepts.

By integrating theoretical insights with participatory processes, this study highlights the potential of PO to guide the design of equitable mental health services. It concludes with recommendations for embedding PO principles into culturally competent healthcare models.

The study was conducted at a mental health day service in London, which exclusively serves people of African and Caribbean descent. There is a committee of service users who are involved in providing input and feedback on the delivery of services at the centre. This group was engaged throughout the study, from reviewing the study proposal and materials to engaging in the analysis of interviews and taking part in the codesign activity.

Figures