Recovery Education & Resources

Recovery: Definition & Components

Since the mid-1980s, a great deal has been written about mental health recovery from the perspective of the consumer (client), family member and mental health professional. The amount of research of various aspects of recovery continues to grow. Early research by Courtney Harding (1987) and others challenged the belief that severe mental illness is chronic and that stability is the best one could hope for. They discovered there are multiple outcomes associated with severe mental illness and that many people did progress beyond a state of mere stability. As such, the concept of recovery began to obtain legitimacy (Sullivan 1997).

Although there are many perceptions and definitions of recovery, William Anthony, Director of the Boston Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation seems to have developed the cornerstone definition of mental health recovery. Anthony (1993) identifies recovery as ” a deeply personal, unique process of changing one’s attitudes, values, feelings, goals, skills and/or roles. It is a way of living a satisfying, hopeful, and contributing life even with limitations caused by the illness. Recovery involves the development of new meaning and purpose in one’s life as one grows beyond the catastrophic effects of mental illness.”

Ultimately, because recovery is a personal and unique process, everyone with a psychiatric illness develops his or her own definition of recovery. However, certain concepts or factors are common to recovery.  Some of these are listed below.

Hope

Hope is a desire accompanied by confident expectation. Having a sense of hope is the foundation for ongoing recovery from mental illness. Even the smallest belief that we can get better, as others have, can fuel the recovery process.

Early in the recovery process, it is possible for a treatment provider, friend, and/or family member to carry hope for a consumer.  At some point, however, consumers must develop and internalize their own sense of hope.

Medication/Treatment

While many people are frustrated by the process of finding the right medications and the side effects of medications, most persons with a psychiatric disorder indicate that medications are critical to their success (Sullivan, 1997). For many, the goal is not to be medication-free, but to take the least amount necessary.

Likewise, mental health consumers often report that mental health professionals and treatment programs are valuable to their recovery. Especially when consumers feel they are engaged in a partnership with their treatment provider and are involved in their treatment planning.

Empowerment

Empowerment is the belief that one has power and control in their life, including their illness. Empowerment also involves taking responsibility for self and advocating for self and others. As consumers grow in their recovery journeys, they gain a greater sense of empowerment in their lives.

Support

Support from peers, family, friends and mental health professionals is essential to recovery from mental illness. It is especially beneficial to have multiple sources of support. This not only reduces a consumer’s sense of isolation, but also increases their activity in the community, allowing them to obtain an integral role in society.

In addition to support from individuals, participation in support groups is an important tool for recovery. Consumers frequently report that being able to interact with others who understand their feelings and experiences is the most important ingredient for their recovery.

Education/Knowledge

In order to maximize recovery, it is important to learn as much as possible about our illnesses, medications, best treatment practices and available resources. It’s also important to learn about ourselves, including our symptoms so that we can gain better control over our illnesses.

Consumers can educate themselves by speaking with health care professionals, attending workshops and support groups, reading books, articles and newsletters, browsing the internet and participating in discussion groups.

 Self-help

While most consumers recognize the value of professional treatment, self-help is often viewed as the conduit to growth in recovery. Self-help can take many forms including learning to identify symptoms and take actions to counteract them, reading and learning about an illness and its treatment, learning and applying coping skills, attending support groups and developing a support system to rely on when necessary.

Spirituality

A broad definition of spirituality is that it’s a partnership with one’s higher power. For many consumers spirituality provides hope, solace during their illness, peace and understanding and a source of social support.

Employment/Meaningful Activity

Frequently, when we meet new people, they ask “what do you do?”  Whether it is fair or not, what we do shapes others’ opinions of who we are.  As a result, it is common for a person’s identity to be significantly impacted by what they do.  Likewise, what a person does influences his/her confidence, esteem, social role, values, etc.  Simply put, employment/meaningful activity affords most consumers the opportunity to regain a positive identity, including a sense of purpose and value.

• Anthony, W. A. (1993). Recovery from mental illness: The guiding vision of the mental health service system in the 1990’s. Psychosocial Rehabilitation Journal, 16(4), 11-23.
• Harding, C. M., Brooks, G. W., Asolaga, T. S. J. S., and Breier, A. (1987). The Vermont longitudinal study of persons with severe mental illness. American Journal of Psychiatry, 144, 718-726.
• Sullivan, W.P. (1997).  A long and winding road: The process of recovery from severe mental illness.  In L. Spaniol, C. Gagne and M. Koehler (Ed.), Psychological and social aspects of psychiatric disability (pp. 14-24).  Boston: Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation.

 

Recovery: Guiding Principles

Recovery emerges from hope:  The belief that recovery is real provides the essential and motivating message of a better future – that people can and do overcome the internal and external challenges, barriers, and obstacles that confront them.

Recovery is person-driven:  Self-determination and self-direction are the foundations for recovery as individuals define their own life goals and design their unique paths.

Recovery occurs via many pathways:  Individuals are unique with distinct needs, strengths, preferences, goals, culture, and backgrounds including trauma experiences that affect the pathway to recovery.

Recovery is holistic:  Recovery encompasses an individual’s whole life, including mind, body, spirit, and community. The array of services and supports available should be integrated and coordinated.

Recovery is supported by peers and allies: Mutual support and mutual aid groups, including the sharing of experiential knowledge and skills, as well as social learning, play an invaluable role in recovery

Recovery is supported through relationship and social networks:  An important factor in the recovery process is the presence and involvement of people who believe in the person’s ability to recover; who offer hope, support, and encouragement; and who also suggest strategies and resources for change.

Recovery is culturally-based and influenced:  Culture and cultural background in all of its diverse representations including values, traditions, and beliefs which are key in determining a person’s journey and unique pathway of recovery.

Recovery is supported by addressing trauma: Services and supports should be trauma-informed to foster safety (physical and emotional) and trust, as well as promote choice, empowerment, and collaboration.

Recovery involves individual, family, and community strengths and responsibility:  Individuals, families, and communities have strengths and resources that serve as a foundation for recovery.

Recovery is based on respect:  Community, systems, and societal acceptance and appreciation for people affected by mental health and substance use problems – including protecting their rights and eliminating discrimination – are crucial in achieving recovery.  (http://www.samhsa.gov/recovery/.)

 

Recovery Resources

Personal growth:

Fostering Hope
Stanley J. Gross, Ed.D, psychcentral.com

This is Your Life: Creating Your Self-Directed Life Plan
J. Jonikas and J. Cook (2004).  University of Illinois at Chicago

Blueprints for Building Self-Esteem
Mary Ellen Copeland, healthyplace.com

Raising Difficult Issues With Your Service Provider
C. Peterson, J. Jonikas, J. Cook, and F. Priester (2003).  University of Illinois at Chicago

Reclaiming Your Power During Medication Appointments With Your Psychiatrist
Patricia Deegan, NEC Newsletter

Taking Back Control of Your Life
Mary Ellen Copeland, healthyplace.com

Express Yourself!  Assessing Self-Determination in Your Life
J. Cook, C. Peterson, and J. Jonikas (2004). University of Illinois at Chicago

Getting What You Want Out of Life
Stanley J. Gross, Ed.D, psychcentral.com

 

Wellness:

Wellness in Eight Dimensions (workbook)
Peggy Swarbrick and Jay Yudof

Whole Health Action Management Peer Support Training Participant Guide
SAMHSA – HSRA Center for Integrated Health Solutions

Developing a Wellness Toolbox
Mary Ellen Copeland, mentalhealthrecovery.com

A Wellness Tool: Developing and Keeping a Circle of Support
Mary Ellen Copeland, Help Horizons

Advocacy: A Wellness Tool
Mary Ellen Copeland, mentalhealthrecovery.com