Collaboration within the “Triangle of Care” during an acute inpatient mental health admission

Family involvement within acute mental healthcare is important for recovery of those experiencing mental health challenges and their family members. This study explored the collaborative processes within the Triangle of Care; people with mental health challenges, their family members and mental health nurses. This engagement is particularly important when responding to deterioration and improvement in mental state during admission.
This research highlighted how strengths-based and trauma-informed approaches can be applied when working alongside people with mental health challenges and their families. This qualitative study used an interpretive autobiographical approach that provided an innovative and creative way for participants to express and share their experiences.
The researcher honoured the definition of “family” as not necessarily blood relatives and included cultural and other understandings of what constitutes family and their engagement in health care. This presentation will share preliminary findings of the experiences of family member participants within the Triangle of Care.