Patient experiences of using mental health services in Canada: Scoping review

Introduction: Research that focuses on patient experiences can provide much needed insight on the strengths and weaknesses of the current mental healthcare system and provide direction for improvement. To give voice to patients, this manuscript focuses on a scoping literature review that was conducted to determine patient experiences of using mental health services in Canada. Methods: Arksey and O’Malley outlined the scoping study methodology that was used for this manuscript. It includes the following five stages: 1) identifying the research question, 2) identifying relevant studies, 3) study selection, 4) charting the data, and 5) collating, summarizing, and reporting the results. Results: The following themes emerged from articles that discussed negative experiences of patients who used mental health services in Canada: 1) discrimination, 2) unmet needs, and 3) invalidation. The following themes emerged from articles that discussed positive experiences of patients who used mental health services in Canada: 1) compassion, 2) validation, and 3) personal autonomy. Conclusion: When patients had negative experiences, it tended to be because they felt discriminated against, their needs were not met, and they felt invalidated. For patients to have positive experiences they need to feel compassion from staff, a sense of personal autonomy, and validation. Sensitivity, empathy, and diversity training could better equip staff to deal with patients with mental illness which could lead to more positive patient experiences of using mental health services. Staff and people with lived experience can educate patients on how to navigate the mental healthcare system to meet their needs which can also lead to more positive patient experiences of using mental health services.