Mental Health Service Users' Experiences of Training Focused on Empowerment: Training Environment and the Benefits of Training

Abstract

This qualitative study investigated the mental health service users' (MHSUs') experiences of empowerment training and it was based on individual interviews with 24 MHSUs. Findings showed that MHSUs described the training environment through three dimensions: social interaction, learners' internal resources and the pedagogical execution of training. The training reinforced their positive internal resources, stimulated their inner mind activity and gave meaning to their lives. The knowledge of the training environment helps to build environment, which will support MHSUs' training. Empowerment training could be used to strengthen MHSUs' positive internal resources giving them also a possibility to train their cognitive activities.