Mapping new roles in mental health services: the development of four new mental health roles from 2004 to 2006

This paper gives a picture of the development of four new roles in mental health over a two-year period. It draws on data from the national mapping project to provide a unique perspective on the emergence of the roles of support, time and recovery workers, gateway workers, carer support workers and community development workers for black and minority ethnic communities. The tracking of such roles on a national level reveals a number of issues, in particular the need for clarity of terms if there is to be an undisputed understanding of what mental health services are provided and by whom.