Feminist Action Research in Mental Health

Overview

This book explores the development of a feminist-informed mental health peer support website co-designed with and for young women, filling a critical gap in theoretical and practical knowledge. Gendered violence and other forms of gender inequality play a significant role in the unequal burden of mental health problems faced by women.

Whilst new and emerging online mental health resources hold promise as an adjunct to traditional face-to-face mental health support, they are predominantly designed for mixed gender audiences and do not connect specifically with diverse young women’s mental health with their gendered lived experiences. This work seeks to address this.

Specifically tailored to social workers and other allied health professionals in practice, academics, and higher degree research students, this book offers an example of integrated research and practice methods using design thinking and co-design methodologies framed within a feminist understanding of gendered experiences of mental health and wellbeing. Written with early career researchers in mind, the book provides a practical guide to undertaking interdisciplinary learning and action research projects.