People Can and Do, Recover from Mental Illness:
There is a growing volume of research that clearly shows that even the most `chronically mentally unwell' person can and does recover. (Strauss, Hafez, Lieberman & Harding, 1985; Harding, Zubin & Strauss, 1992; Harding & Zahniser, 1994; Sullivan, 1994).
Recovery is Borne Out of Hope:
The hope that things can be different for a person is pivotal to recovery. Hope "springs from a sense of the possible" (Adams & Partee, 1998).
Recovery is an Individual Journey:
This means that the process and story of recovery will be different for every person who takes this path. The person who experiences mental illness begins the journey. It begins with a conscious decision to do things differently. One does not stumble into the recovery process. However the individual concerned may not voice their decision in terms of recovery, but perhaps "I just want to get on with my life" or something similar.
‘Recovery Needs a Supportive Environment to Thrive': (Blanch, Fisher, Tucker, Walsh & Chassman (1993))
'Note that interpersonal barriers may be the most significant hurdle in promoting recovery. A person in recovery needs people around them that believe in them and support them'. (Brier & Strauss, 1984; Strauss, Hafez, Lieberman & Harding, 1985; Davidson & Strauss, 1992; Copeland, 1994).
'An integral part of this is the development and keeping of a strong support system'. (Deegan, 1988; Weingarten, 1989 , Davidson & Strauss , 1992 , H arding, Zubin & Strauss 1992; Sullivan, 1994).
Recovery Involves a Person Educating Themselves About Their Illness:
An individual in pursuit of recovery needs to educate themselves about their diagnosis, treatment options and medication. This allows them to be an active participant in the management of their illness (Handing, Zubin & Strauss, 1992; Blanch, Fisher, Tucker, Walsh & Chassman, 1993; Copeland, 1994; Sullivan, 1994).
Recovery Involves Dealing with Stigma and Discrimination - both internalised and external:
Leete (1989), states that there is nothing more devastating, discrediting and disabling to an individual recovering from mental illness than stigma.
Frese (1993), expresses. a similar sentiment when he states that managing the stigma that accompanies mental illness is in many ways worse than the illness itself. For a person in recovery the stigma can be both internal (how the person defines themselves) and external (reactions of the environment towards them). Stigma and discrimination need to be addressed on both of these levels (Davidson & Strauss, 1992, Blanch, Fisher, Tucker, Walsh & Chassman, 1993).
More Principals
___________________________________ |
