Evaluation of MH101 mental health learning workshops

INFORMATION SHEET

Invitation to participate
We would like to invite you to participate in this study. Your participation is entirely voluntary (your choice). You do not have to take part in this study, and if you choose not to take part this will not affect your participation in this course. You may withdraw from the study at any time up until the final interview is completed. You do not have to answer all the questions, and you may stop at any time.

What you are being asked to do:

1. Read this information sheet and decide whether you are willing to participate

2. Complete the short on-line pre-workshop questionnaire (it should take 5-10 minutes)

3. Complete a short questionnaire at the end of the workshop, as part of the workshop process (about 10 minutes)

4. Take part in a phone interview 3 months after the workshop (duration of about 20 minutes)

5. Take part in a phone interview 9-12 months after the workshop (duration of about 20 minutes)

Confidentiality
We will need you to put your name on the questionnaires you complete, so that the researchers can phone you for the interviews and so that we can link your later responses back to your earlier ones, to measure any changes. However, only the researchers and the Blueprint staff will have access to your responses and no material which could personally identify you will be used in any reports on this study. All the questionnaires will be combined in the analyses.
All questionnaires will be kept securely at the PHOENIX Research premises in Auckland, except if being viewed by those directly involved in the project.

Benefits, risks and safety
This survey provides you with an opportunity to contribute to identifying the effectiveness of this programme, which is designed to be of assistance to persons such as yourself.
We do not anticipate there being any significant risks involved in participating in this evaluation. If any of the questions do bring up issues that you feel you need support in addressing, you can ring one of the helplines listed in the front of the phone book.

Availability of results
You will be asked if you wish to receive a summary of the results when you complete the 3 month interview.

Researchers
The principal investigator is Dr Allan Wyllie, Director Social Research, Phoenix Research, PO Box 74 283, Auckland (phone 09-623 9992). There are also other researchers and interviewers working on the project, including Maori, Pacific and Asian.
Phoenix Research is a small private research company, based in Auckland. We have been undertaking research and evaluation for this programme since its scoping phase. We have also been involved with the ‘Like Minds, Like Mine’ campaign to reduce stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness for over 10 years and the National Depression Initiative (John Kirwan campaign) since its scoping phase.

Further Information
Please feel free to contact Dr Allan Wyllie at Phoenix Research (0800 274 636 or 09 623 9992), if you have any questions about this study.

If you have any questions or concerns about your rights as a participant in this research study you can contact an independent health and disability advocate. This is a free service provided under the Health and Disability Commissioner Act.

Telephone:(NZ wide) 0800 555 050
Free Fax (NZ wide): 0800 2787 7678 (0800 2 SUPPORT)
Email (NZ wide): advocacy@hdc.org.nz
Dated: 8 October, 2009