Who decides what evidence is? Developing a multiple perspectives paradigm in mental health

Objective: To compare different perspectives on evidence in relation to mental health care. Method: The method and materials constitute a selective literature review comparing key elements of evidence-based medicine and evidence-based policy with perspectives on evidence from users, carers and professionals. The aim was to develop an argument concerning these comparisons. Results: What constitutes evidence from the perspectives of different stakeholders is a field of contestation. Conclusion: It is timely for a multiple perspective paradigm on evidence in science to be developed and this paper initiates this process in relation to mental health care.