Recovery from Mental Illness as an Emergent Concept and Practice in Australia and the UK

Abstract

The language of recovery is now widely used in mental health policy, services, and research. Yet the term has disparate antecedents, and is used in a variety of ways. Some of the history of the use of the term recovery is surveyed, with particular attention to the new meaning of the term, especially as identified by service users, supported and taken up to various degrees by research and in the professional literature. Policy and practice in two countries--Australia and the United Kingdom--are examined to determine the manner and extent to which the concept of recovery is evident. In its new meaning, the concept of recovery has the potential to bring about profound and needed changes in mental health theory and practice. It is being taken up differently in different settings. It is clear that--at least in Australia and the United Kingdom--there are promising new recovery models and practices that support recovery, but the widespread use of recovery language is not enough to ensure that the core principles of the recovery model are implemented.

What does recovery mean for me? Perspectives of Canadian mental health consumers.

“…The consumers who participated in this study defined recovery as a dual reality: as a psychosocial process along the lines of the consumersurvivor perspective, but also as a medical event. As some have cautioned recently, consumer-survivor models of recovery demand a lot from consumers, and may be setting up either unrealistic expectations, or goals that some consumers are reluctant to pursue (Dickerson, 2006;Ramon, Healy, & Renouf, 2007;Roe, Rudnick, & Gill, 2007). Thus, conceptualizations of recovery need to account for both definitions if the recovery movement is to represent the views of all consumers.…”

A randomized controlled trial comparing self-referral to inpatient treatment and treatment as usual in patients with severe mental disorders

“…Rehospitalizations are costly and are markers of reduced function and quality of life of patients with psychotic disorders and their families (9)(10)(11). Internationally the concept of recovery has had a growing influence on mental health services (12) emphasizing patients self-direction, empowerment and responsibility (13). One solution to increase the patient participation in mental health services is to make it possible for patients to self-refer to inpatient stay in mental health services.…”

Managing Risk: Clinical Decision-Making in Mental Health Services

“…Policy and service reform to implement the principles of recovery-which focus on the consumer's goals, potential for change and growth, and a transparent and collaborative relationship with health care professionals (Barker & Buchanan-Barker, 2005)-has been identified as important in maintaining a recovery focus (Ramon, Healy, & Renouf, 2007;Rickwood, 2005;Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2005), and inherent in such principles is, indeed, the notion of risk:…”