This study aimed to develop and validate a consumer-constructed scale to measure empowerment among users of mental health services. The scale was designed based on extensive development, pilot testing, and analyses, and was field-tested on 271 members of six self-help programs across six states. Factor analyses identified five underlying dimensions of empowerment: self-efficacy–self-esteem, power-powerlessness, community activism, righteous anger, and optimism–control over the future. Empowerment was found to be positively related to quality of life and income but not to demographic variables such as age, gender, ethnicity, marital status, education level, or employment status. It was inversely related to the use of traditional mental health services and positively related to community activism. The scale demonstrated adequate internal consistency and some evidence of validity, but further testing is needed to establish discriminant validity and sensitivity to change. The findings provide a framework for understanding the concept of empowerment and suggest that programs promoting empowerment should focus on enhancing self-esteem, self-efficacy, and financial resources, as well as fostering sociopolitical consciousness and community activism.This study aimed to develop and validate a consumer-constructed scale to measure empowerment among users of mental health services. The scale was designed based on extensive development, pilot testing, and analyses, and was field-tested on 271 members of six self-help programs across six states. Factor analyses identified five underlying dimensions of empowerment: self-efficacy–self-esteem, power-powerlessness, community activism, righteous anger, and optimism–control over the future. Empowerment was found to be positively related to quality of life and income but not to demographic variables such as age, gender, ethnicity, marital status, education level, or employment status. It was inversely related to the use of traditional mental health services and positively related to community activism. The scale demonstrated adequate internal consistency and some evidence of validity, but further testing is needed to establish discriminant validity and sensitivity to change. The findings provide a framework for understanding the concept of empowerment and suggest that programs promoting empowerment should focus on enhancing self-esteem, self-efficacy, and financial resources, as well as fostering sociopolitical consciousness and community activism.