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Background: Mental health problems often lead to isolation and reduced participation in leisure activity. Leisure activity in group has the potential to promote social contact and coping. There has been little research on what is needed to enable people with mental illness to participate in leisure group activities. Purpose: The aim of the project was to find out what can promote participation in leisure group activities among people with mental illnesses. Method: Using qualitative design, five individuals were strategically selected for a semistructured interview. The interviews were analyzed by systematic text condensation. Results: The results show that external factors such as motivation from other helpers, motivated leaders and secure activities can contribute to participation. Furthermore, it appears that personal characteristics are about to receive and accept support from others. It also seems beneficial to have previous experience with the activity and a sense of coping. The most surprising finding is that participation in leisure activity seems to be linked to a larger existential choice in finding meaning in life. Conclusion: The findings show that participation in activity is a complex phenomenon, and is of great importance for people with mental illnesses. The finding that the existential dimension seems to play some role, underscore that locally based services need to take this dimension into account. There is a need for further research to help the development of leisure activities in order to match the user’s need. Further research will also contribute to a necessary awareness of the leisure activities’ extensive potential to increase coping in everyday life.

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