Factors affecting community treatment orders research study

Australia has one of the highest rates of forced community treatment for diagnosed mental illness in the world but there is considerable variation across the country and between mental health services.

Lived Experience Australia is seeking people to participate in an online survey that will investigate the experiences and perceptions of people who have been placed on a community treatment order (CTOs) for their mental health. There is also a separate survey for Family/Carers.

The survey questions will ask about your experiences with the mental health service, your level of involvement, and your understanding of whether, when and why a CTO was made.

This survey is part of a larger study funded by the Australian Research Council which aims to understand why and how this treatment varies, and to reduce coercive actions by mental health services.

What does this study involve?

The survey should take about 30 minutes to complete.

Some questions ask you some general non-identifiable information about you (e.g. age, gender, relationship to the person on a CTO).

Some questions ask you to select a response (e.g. ‘Yes’, ‘No’ ‘Maybe’ ‘Doesn’t apply to me’).

Some questions ask you to rate your response on a scale (e.g. from ‘strongly disagree’ to ‘strongly agree’).

Some questions provide space for you to describe your experiences in your own words.

Who is undertaking this study?

This project is supported by La Trobe University, Flinders University, University of Melbourne, University of Sydney and Lived Experience Australia

The research team consists of: Chief Investigator Professor Sharon Lawn, Flinders University/Lived Experience Australia; Chief Investigator Professor Lisa Brophy, La Trobe University; Co-Investigator Assoc Professor Chris Maylea, La Trobe University; Co-Investigator Dr Edwina Light, University of Sydney; Co-Investigator Ms Vrinda Edan, University of Melbourne; and Co-Investigator Ms Tessa-May Zirnsak, La Trobe University.

How do you get involved?

If you would like to participate in this study, please use the links below appropriate to your circumstance.

• Individuals identifying as someone who has been placed under a CTO
• For those who are Families/Friends/Supporters of someone who has been placed under a CTO

If you know someone who may be able to assist us with this study, we would very much appreciate if you could forward this email to them.

More information

If you have any questions about this project please get in touch with Professor Sharon Lawn at Flinders via email at sharon.lawn@flinders.edu.au.