I don't think we've quite got there yet: The experience of allyship for mental health consumer researchers.

INTRODUCTION: Australia and New Zealand mental health policy requires consumer participation in all aspects of mental health services. Systemic participation informs and improves the quality of mental health services. Collaboration with consumer researchers should be similarly required. Enhanced understandings of collaborations are needed.

AIM: To enhance understanding of the perspectives and experiences of nonconsumer researchers in working collaboratively with consumers as researchers.

METHOD: This qualitative exploratory study involved interviews with non-consumer mental health researchers who have worked collaboratively with consumers in research. Interviews were conducted with participants from Australia and New Zealand.

RESULTS: 'Allyship' emerged as a major theme. This describes non-consumer researchers playing an actively supportive role to facilitate opportunities for the development and growth of consumer research roles and activities. Seven sub-themes were identified: establishing and supporting roles, corralling resources, guiding navigation of university systems, advocacy at multiple levels, aspiring to coproduction and consumer-led research, extending connections and partnerships, and desire to do better.

DISCUSSION: Allyship may have an important role to play in the broader consumer research agenda and requires further consideration.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Embedding meaningful consumer participation within mental health services requires active consumer involvement in research. Allies can play an important facilitative role. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.