Training and employment of consumer provider employees in Dutch mental health care.

OBJECTIVE: This article describes the results of a qualitative study on the training and employment of consumer provider employees in Dutch mental health care. METHODS: The authors used semi-structured interviews with students, graduates/employees, teachers, team managers, colleagues and clients to assess their experiences with the college program. RESULTS: The college program succeeds in preparing the consumer students for their role as consumer provider employees in mental health teams. In the peer support and recovery program and supervision, students learn to develop their recovery story, to apply their experiences in practice, and to deal with challenges. CONCLUSIONS: Coaching and supervision are essential to help consumer providers in their specific role, to deal with dilemmas and to facilitate open dialogue. Teams need to be adequately prepared by informing them on the requirements of the college program and the role of consumer providers.