An exploration of the role of digital technology in shaping citizenship for people with mental health challenges

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of digital technology on citizenship for people with mental health challenges (PMHC). Technology is increasingly dominating our lives and changing what it means to be a citizen. Citizenship approaches such as the 5Rs (Ponce and Rowe, 2018; Rowe and Pelletier, 2012) or collective citizenship (Quinn et al. , 2020) are gaining prominence as ways to promote the rights and inclusion of PMHC. Therefore, it is essential to explore the impact of technology on citizenship for PMHC. Design/methodology/approach This study was part of a PhD using community-based participatory research (CBPR) conducted alongside 3 peer researchers. Participants ( n = 7) were from a mental health peer-led organisation and a digital technology company ( n = 4) in England. They participated in semi-structured interviews and a co-production workshop. Data was co-analysed using thematic analysis. Findings Participants viewed technology as a means to promote inclusion but also leading to further division and exclusion. Discussions about technology were seen as central to discussions about citizenship. Participants did not see digital citizenship as a distinct concept. Those from the peer-led organisation wanted to play an active role in shaping citizenship. Originality/value This is the first published study to specifically focus on exploring digital citizenship in the context of citizenship within mental health. The paper highlights the importance of incorporating the impact of technology on mental health and citizenship and raises implications for mental health citizenship-orientated research, policy and practice.