The purpose of this paper is to describe examples of service user involvement to demonstrate how they can significantly enhance service provision for people with mental health, substance misuse, and co‐existing mental health and substance misuse problems (dual diagnosis), and in so doing, enhance their own recovery.
The personal story of one service user illustrates a range of involvement activities: membership of service user panels, development of an anti‐stigma campaign, mentorship of trust staff, and employment as a peer support worker in both mental health and substance misuse services.
Service provision in mental health and substance misuse services has been enhanced through the genuine involvement of service users. This involvement has been an important factor in building the confidence and skills of service users and supporting them in their own recovery.
The paper describes several innovative involvement initiatives and highlights the dual benefits of these roles to services and the service users employed in them.
