The Project

Research participants were a group of diverse individuals with lived experience of mental illness. They were given cameras to record visually their responses to research questions.

Photo discussions were audio recorded and participants wrote reflections to develop a narratives for each of their photographs. Throughout the Photovoice process, the participants worked with students from Douglas College and peer researchers.

Peer task groups involved research participants and worked on various tasks, including data analysis, planning photo exhibits, writing community newsletters, and planning and preparing for a Speakers’ Series for Mental Health Awareness week (2015).

Our project findings were disseminated to a diverse group of community stakeholders via the photo exhibits, community newsletters, and a community stakeholder meeting. Project findings helped shape the application for phase 2 funding “Creating Upstream Change.”

The Digital Storytelling / Photovoice program is based on how we used Photovoice in a 10-week process with our participants. It includes facilitation guides and participant exercises. This protocol has been adapted for different audiences and purposes and can be provided in as few
as 5 weeks. It is co-facilitated by peer researchers. This program requires peer facilitator time, a meeting room, and access to cameras. It is ideal (though not necessary) to be able to print participants’ photographs for display.

The Speaker Series / Telling Your Story and Being Heard is a 5 or 8 week program designed to equip participants with writing about their mental health journey and public speaking skills. It is co-facilitated by peer researchers. This program requires peer facilitator time, a meeting room, and access to video-recording equipment (ideally).

Peer Researcher Training is a 10-week training for individuals living with mental illness to learn the basics about community-based research and evaluation. The purpose is to equip participants to be able to conduct small-scale project evaluations and to be able to participate equitably on research teams. It is co-facilitated by peer researchers. This program requires peer facilitator time, access to a meeting room, and access to a photocopier.

Upstream Change Board Game is an educational game to be facilitated with individuals who work in community mental health – including front-line service providers, team leaders, and managers. It is designed as a 3-hour workshop with an introduction, 1 hour of game play, and a debrief. It is facilitated by a peer researcher.