ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to help readers gain a deeper insight into the impact having a son or daughter with a mental health problem has on the whole family of carers. In the UK, there have been various pieces of legislation and policy documents that have placed service users and communities at the heart of the design and delivery of services. A distinction has been made between two approaches to involving service users and carers: consumerism and democratization. Consumerism refers to service users or carers commenting and being consulted about decisions whereas democratization refers to their active engagement in partnership in decision making. The World Health Organization is clear that the delivery of modern health care is dependent on professionals coming together as interdisciplinary teams. In the UK, the Health and Social Care Act and the National Collaboration for Integrated Care and Support emphasize the need for professions to work collaboratively to provide integrated and safe patient care.
