Tricks of the trade in community mental health research : working with mental health services and clients

The complexities of research in the community mental health sector are seldom acknowledged in existing literature; this article attempts to address this void. It presents the methodological challenges experienced in the longitudinal evaluation of the Housing and Accommodation Support Initiative—a program that supports people with chronic mental illness toward long-term recovery. The evaluation provides a case study for understanding methodological problems in community mental health research, which include working with organizations that experience high staff turnover; staff members who have large caseloads; and clients who have chronic mental illness. Although not applicable to all research designs, the suggested strategies highlight the importance of innovation, flexibility, and balance between research theory and practical limitations when conducting community mental health research.