Individuals interested in mental health, research, and inclusive healthcare have an opportunity to expand their knowledge through a free online course on Co-Production in Mental Health Research, offered by the SUCCEED Africa project.
Open to participants worldwide, the self-paced course explores how people with lived experience of mental health conditions can play an active and meaningful role in shaping research that affects them. The programme is built around the widely recognised principle, “Nothing about us, without us,” which promotes the inclusion of service users and communities in research and decision-making processes.
Understanding Co-Production in Mental Health Research
The course introduces participants to the concept of co-production, an approach that encourages researchers, healthcare professionals, and individuals with lived experience to work together as equal partners throughout the research process.
Rather than treating people with lived experience as research subjects alone, co-production values their knowledge, perspectives, and expertise in designing, conducting, and evaluating mental health studies.
Participants will gain insights into how collaborative research can improve the relevance, quality, and impact of mental health services and policies.
Open to Learners Around the World
One of the key advantages of the programme is its global accessibility.
The course welcomes participants from all countries and professional backgrounds, making it suitable for:
- Students interested in mental health and public health.
- Academic researchers.
- Healthcare professionals.
- Community workers.
- Non-governmental organisation (NGO) practitioners.
- Policymakers.
- Individuals with lived experience of mental health conditions.
- Anyone interested in inclusive healthcare and participatory research.
Because the course is delivered online and is self-paced, participants can complete the learning activities at times that suit their personal and professional schedules.
What Participants Can Expect
The programme is designed to help learners understand the value of involving communities in mental health research and decision-making.
Participants can expect to explore topics such as:
- Principles of co-production in research.
- The importance of lived experience in mental health studies.
- Inclusive and participatory research methods.
- Building partnerships between researchers and communities.
- Ethical approaches to collaborative mental health research.
- Strategies for improving equity and inclusion in healthcare research.
The course aims to strengthen participants’ understanding of how collaborative approaches can lead to more effective, relevant, and person-centred mental health research.
Course Details
Prospective participants should note the following information:
- Course: Co-Production in Mental Health Research.
- Provider: SUCCEED Africa Project.
- Mode: Fully online.
- Cost: Free of charge.
- Learning Format: Self-paced.
- Dates: 17 July to 7 August 2026.
- Eligibility: Open to participants worldwide.
The flexible format enables learners to complete the course from anywhere with internet access.
Why This Course Matters
Mental health research is increasingly recognising the importance of including the voices of people with lived experience in every stage of the research process.
By embracing the principle of “Nothing about us, without us,” researchers and healthcare organisations can develop studies that better reflect the needs, priorities, and experiences of the communities they aim to serve.
Training opportunities such as this course contribute to building more inclusive research practices while encouraging meaningful collaboration between academics, practitioners, and service users.
How to Register
Individuals interested in participating can register by contacting the course organisers directly or by following the registration link provided in the original advertisement.
For enquiries and registration information, interested participants may contact:
- Erin Burn
- Email: [email protected]
With free enrolment, worldwide access, and a flexible online format, the course offers an excellent opportunity for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of inclusive mental health research and collaborative healthcare practices.
