Stakeholder Coalitions and Priorities Around the Policy Goals of a Nation-Wide Mental Health Care Reform

This study describes stakeholder coalitions formed around common mental health policy goals and highlights their central goals and oppositions. Data were collected on the policy priorities of 469 stakeholders (policymakers, service managers, clinicians, and user representatives) involved in the Belgian mental healthcare reform. Four coalitions of stakeholders endorsing different mental health policy goals were identified using a hierarchical cluster analysis on stakeholders ’ policy priorities. A belief network analysis was performed to identify the central and peripheral policy goals within coalitions. Coalitions brought together stakeholders with similar professional functions. Disagreements were observed between service managers and policymakers around policy goal s. The two coalitions composed of policymakers supported a comprehensive approach that combines the different goals and also supported the shortening of hospital stays, whereas the two coalitions composed of service managers emphasised the personal recovery of users and continuity of care. Regardles s of the coalitions’ differing policy priorities, strengthening community care was a central goal while patient-centred goals were peripheral. The competing policy positions of the coalitions identified may explain the slow and inconsistent pace of the Belgian mental healthcare reform. Strengtheni ng community care may be an essential part of reaching consensus across coalitions. Finally, special care must be take...

Source: Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research - January 1, 2021 Category: Psychiatry Source Type: research