Unlocking our community assets in designing a sustainable pathway to recovery in mental health

2014 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-14
Author(s):  
William Lilley

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to highlight case studies of how housing associations have worked effectively with the NHS and adult social care in developing a joined approach to mental health recovery. Design/methodology/approach – This is primarily two case studies from Bromford. Findings – These are just case studies contributed by the Bromford on existing examples. Originality/value – All material is original and any reference is attributed to the original author.

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 105-110
Author(s):  
Andrew Voyce

Purpose The purpose of this study is to compare lived recovery journeys in mental health with recovery models. Design/methodology/approach Unstructured interviews with prompts were conducted with two individuals. Findings Some recovery models correspond in part with the live experience of subjects. These narratives have personal emphasis that is incongruent with the highlighted models. In particular, the subjects have a place for therapeutic interventions, i.e. talking therapies and medication. Research limitations/implications The live experience of the two people with mental health issues crosses boundaries of recovery models. Relevant models include those used in peer support; however, they too do not fit exactly with the detailed journeys. Practical implications A varied approach without preconceptions is appropriate to understand the components of these two recovery journeys. Social implications The medical model approach to mental health is not discounted rather it is integral to these two recovery journeys. Originality/value This is qualitative research using stated models of mental health recovery. In addition to the principles of hope, meaning, connectedness, identity and empowerment, the two subjects include the essential part for medication and talking therapies in their recovery.


2014 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 62-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ailsa Cameron ◽  
Lisa Bostock ◽  
Rachel Lart

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide an update to a review of the joint working literature in the field of health and social care for adults, with particular emphasis given to the experiences of users and carers. Design/methodology/approach – The aims of the literature review remained largely the same as those of the original, they were to identify: models of joint working, evidence of effectiveness and cost-effectiveness and the factors promoting or hindering the models. However, to reflect the growing interest in the experiences of users and carers a fourth aim was added to map these experiences. Given their prominence in terms of policy debates about integration, the review focused on jointly organised services for older people and people with mental health problems in the UK only. Findings – The review demonstrates tentative signs that some initiatives designed to join-up or integrate services can deliver outcomes desired by government. Importantly some studies that report the experiences of users of services and carers suggest that they perceive benefits from efforts to join-up or integrate services. However it is our contention that the evidence is less than compelling and does not justify the faith invested in the strategy by current or previous governments. Originality/value – The study updates our knowledge of the impact of joint working in the field of health and social care for adults. Importantly the paper highlights what is known about the experiences of users and carers of joint/integrated services.


2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leanne Harper ◽  
Mick McKeown

Purpose Whilst there is growing evidence to suggest that the recovery college (RC) environment supports students towards their mental health recovery (Meddings et al., 2015b), students’ initial motivations for engagement, alongside factors that may hinder or support attendance, have yet to be exclusively explored. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach All new RC students were invited to take part in a semi-structured interview three months following their enrolment. Four participants completed an interview which were later analysed using thematic analysis. Findings Four themes emerged within analysis: making the effort; being “too unwell”; friendly environment; and glad I came. These are discussed alongside the literature, and it is proposed that whilst there is a substantial struggle involved in engagement with a RC, likely related to mental health and social factors, the RC environment, peer support and support of the tutors helps students to overcome the impact of this. Research limitations/implications Due to the small sample size and exploratory stance of this study, additional research into the complexities around engagement with RCs is strongly recommended. Only students who had attended at least one RC course chose to participate in this study, therefore an under-researched population of non-attendees may provide a valuable contribution to further understanding. Originality/value This is one of the first studies to qualitatively explore factors which may support, or hinder, initial and ongoing engagement with a RC. It is proposed that a greater understanding of these important issues could be used to increase RC accessibility and inclusion.


2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 174-177
Author(s):  
Patsy Flanagan ◽  
Jerome Carson

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide a profile of Patsy Flanagan. Design/methodology/approach Patsy provides a short background to her life story and is then interviewed by Jerome. Findings Patsy shares with us a journey of suffering that started when she was only five, to today where she feels she has been saved by motherhood and would like to save others through her books. Research limitations/implications Case studies illustrate the complexities and the richness of human experience and help us understand mental health and mental illness better. Practical implications Patsy makes a heartfelt plea to those contemplating suicide, “I beg of you, reconsider. Life can improve”. Social implications To tackle the mental health epidemic we are witnessing, Patsy says we must start conversations about mental wellbeing in childhood. Schools have a vital role to play. Originality/value Patsy states that creativity and empathy can arise from suffering. Her own story bears witness to this.


2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 232-244 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nico Nieboer ◽  
Robert Kroese ◽  
Ad Straub

PurposeMany studies on policy implementation have emphasized the difficulties of putting policies into practice. This paper presents several ways in which Dutch social landlords incorporate their energy saving policies in their “regular” housing management, such as planned preventive maintenance, renovations and other physical improvements.Design/methodology/approachSeveral housing associations were selected that have formulated an energy saving policy and that have at least some experience in implementing these policies into projects. Interviews were held with managers of asset and maintenance management and with policy staff of housing associations. The extent to which the policy ambitions, both at the portfolio level and at the project level are carried out, and in which way these ambitions are embedded in the organisations’ regular working processes are investigated. Also, the main stimuli and barriers for the implementation of the energy saving policies are identified. Special attention has been paid to the feasibility of combining of energy saving measures with other physical improvements in the housing stock.FindingsResults show that the implementation of energy saving policies in annual improvement and maintenance plans is in most cases not problematic, and that the most significant problems arise during the realisation of the policies in the preparation of specific investment projects.Research limitations/implicationsEnergy saving policies are relatively new to the sector in The Netherlands. Therefore, the number of case studies is relatively low.Originality/valueThe paper offers case studies which illustrate and explain the gap between energy saving policies and realisation of these policies.


2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 80-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaun Hunt ◽  
Jerome Carson

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide a profile of Shaun Hunt. Design/methodology/approach Shaun provides a short biographical description of his life. Shaun is then interviewed by Jerome. Findings Shaun tells us about the long journey of recovery that he has made to the point where he is now a University Lecturer. Research limitations/implications In large group studies the individual gets lost in statistical tables and the lived experience is absent. Single case studies provide us with stories to nurture and encourage us all. Practical implications Shaun says that we often miss the obvious question in our interactions with people with lived experience. “What happened to you?” seems a simple but telling conversation opener. Social implications As Shaun says there are some amazing people who work in mental health services, but they are the ones who spoke to him and not to a “schizophrenic”. Originality/value As Shaun also says, “Never, ever give up hope, no matter how dark and bad things become, there is always a way back”.


2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 75-79
Author(s):  
Robert Lawrence ◽  
Jerome Carson

Purpose The purpose of the paper is to provide a profile of Robert Lawrence. Design/methodology/approach Robert provides a short background to his life and is then interviewed by Jerome. Findings Robert talks about the slow onset of his condition, his hospital admission and subsequent long journey of recovery. Research limitations/implications Case studies are of course only one person’s story. The world of someone experiencing psychosis is so different that we can only really understand it fully through the accounts of sufferers like Robert. Practical implications Robert makes a number of points about how services could be improved, such as through quicker and better treatment and a commitment to promote positive mental health. Social implications Robert talks about “benefits you can live off.” He notes that some governments have not fully appreciated the reality of mental suffering and its effects on trying to live a “normal” life. Originality/value Robert’s story has seen him embark on a long journey. He has now managed to study for a qualification which will hopefully bring him employment as a counsellor.


2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kate P. Nurser ◽  
Imogen Rushworth ◽  
Tom Shakespeare ◽  
Deirdre Williams

Purpose Creating more positive individual narratives around illness and identity is at the heart of the mental health care recovery movement. Some recovery services explicitly use personal storytelling as an intervention. The purpose of this paper is to look at individual experiences of a personal storytelling intervention, a recovery college Telling My Story (TMS) course. Design/methodology/approach Eight participants who had attended the TMS course offered at a UK recovery college were interviewed. Data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Findings Five key themes, namely a highly emotional experience, feeling safe to disclose, renewed sense of self, two-way process and a novel opportunity, were emerged. Originality/value The findings suggest that storytelling can be a highly meaningful experience and an important part of the individual’s recovery journey. They also begin to identify elements of the storytelling process which might aid recovery, and point to pragmatic setting conditions for storytelling interventions to be helpful. More time could be dedicated to individuals telling their story within UK mental health services, and the authors can use this insight into the experience of personal storytelling to guide any future developments.


2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 100-112
Author(s):  
H.T. Xie

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe and compare the attributes of community dwelling adults with serious mental health illnesses in the USA and Singapore in terms of perception of mental health recovery and its correlates, namely, strengths self-efficacy, resourcefulness and stigma experience. Design/methodology/approach A convenience sample of 100 participants from each country participated in the study by completing self-administered questionnaires. Findings The results showed high overall scores in mental health recovery, strengths self-efficacy and resourcefulness in both countries with only a statistically significant difference between both countries in mental health recovery. Participants in both countries also experienced stigma. Research limitations/implications The study not only enhanced the focus on mental health and its correlates but also suggested the need for efforts to de-stigmatize mental health conditions which could impact on mental health recovery. Originality/value This paper is original and adds on to the knowledge base on mental health recovery and its correlates through the unique opportunity to review information from both countries.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jerome Carson ◽  
Lisa Ogilvie

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the accomplishments of those who realise addiction recovery. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first in a series of recovery stories, where candid accounts of addiction and recovery are examined. In doing so, shared components of recovery are considered, along with the change and growth necessary to facilitate it. Design/methodology/approach The CHIME (Connectedness, Hope, Identity, Meaning and Empowerment) framework comprises five elements important to recovery. It provides a standard to qualitatively study mental health recovery, having also been applied to addiction recovery. In this paper, an additional element for Growth has been introduced to the model (G-CHIME), to consider both recovery and sustained recovery. A first-hand account of addiction recovery is presented, followed by a semi-structured e-interview with the author of the account. This is structured on the G-CHIME model. Findings This paper shows that successful and sustained recovery from alcohol addiction can be effectively explained using the G-CHIME model. Each element was well represented in the described process of reaching recovery. Originality/value Each account of recovery in this series is unique, and as yet, untold.


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