Social recovery: a new interpretation to recovery-orientated services – a critical literature review

Purpose In 2020, the significance of “lived experience” and “service user” accounts of recovery has become central to the delivery of mental health policy and practice. Reflecting on the first known account of personal recovery in the late-20th century provided new hope and encouragement that those living with mental illness could live a fulfilling life. Taking this into consideration, the purpose of this paper is to explore the relevance to this experience of those using services today. Design/methodology/approach The authors present a critical literature review, which is underpinned by a systematic approach adopted from Higgins and Pinkerton (1998). This involved a six-step approach seeking to answer the question – What are the service users’ views on the recovery concept within mental health services? Findings The conceptualisation of recovery continues to focus on biomedical parameters. A new interpretation of recovery is beginning to materialise: social recovery. This new interpretation appears to be achievable through six key influencers: health, economics, social interaction/connection, housing, personal relationships and support. Originality/value Building on Ramon’s (2018) argument regarding the need for mental health policy to focus on the concept of social recovery, this study extends on this proposition by providing a foundational evidence base. More specifically, it not only supports the need for this shift in policy but also identifies a new interpretation building in practice. Furthermore, the authors highlight six key pillars that could potentially shape such provisions for policy.

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Francis, Berwick and culture change – an opportunity to engage patients and increase transparency in mental health

Mental Health and Social Inclusion ◽

10.1108/mhsi-10-2013-0034 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

pp. 13-16 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Sophie Corlett

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Policy ◽

Mental Health Services ◽

Health Services ◽

Mental Health Policy ◽

Health Service Provision ◽

Content Type ◽

Recent Developments ◽

The Uk ◽

Mental Health Service Provision

Purpose – The Policy Watch series reflects on recent and forthcoming developments in mental health policy across the UK. The purpose of this paper is to review recent developments in mental health policy, specifically the implications and learning for mental health services of recent scandals such as Mid Staffordshire and Winterbourne View and the various responses to them. Design/methodology/approach – This paper reviews and summarises recent developments in national mental health policy in England and their implications for mental health service provision. Findings – The paper outlines how learning from recent scandals such as Mid Staffordshire and Winterbourne View can be applied in mental health services. Originality/value – The paper updates and discusses recent policy developments in the NHS and their implications for mental health services.

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Could the Tree of Life Model Be a Useful Approach for UK Mental Health Contexts?

Narrative Works ◽

10.7202/1076525ar ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 44-70

Author(s):

Sophie Parham ◽

Jeyda Ibrahim ◽

Kate Foxwell

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Policy ◽

Thematic Analysis ◽

Mental Health Policy ◽

Group Processes ◽

Tree Of Life ◽

Clinical Implications ◽

Analysis Method ◽

Personal Recovery ◽

Life Model

Some suggest the ethos of the Tree of Life (ToL) group aligns with the concept of “personal-recovery” promoted in mental health policy. Thus, it is claimed that the group could be a useful approach within UK mental health services. This review collated 14 papers to explore whether existing literature regarding the ToL group supports this assertion. The papers were synthesized using the thematic analysis method and three broad themes were identified, which support the argument for its utility within services. These were recovery-aligned themes, the inclusivity of the model, and group processes relevant to mental health contexts. The papers are critically appraised, key concerns regarding the wider literature discussed, and clinical implications summarized.

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Delivering recovery focused mental health care in Ireland: implications for services and practice development

Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/ipm.2014.75 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 33 (2) ◽

pp. 121-128 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

S. A. Shah ◽

M. Nolan ◽

M. Ryan ◽

J. Williams ◽

D. Fannon

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Policy ◽

Mental Health Services ◽

Health Services ◽

Mental Health Professionals ◽

Mental Health Policy ◽

World Health ◽

Health Staff ◽

Personal Recovery

IntroductionThe recovery approach provides a key organising principle underlying mental health policy throughout the English speaking world with endorsement by agencies such as the World Health Organisation. In Ireland, personal recovery is one of the quality markers identified by users of mental health services and has become central to national mental health policy.Aim and objectiveThe aim of this study was to explore the implications for mental health services and professional practice arising from a structured investigation of what personal recovery means for people using specialist mental health services and the extent to which services support their individual recovery.MethodTen service user participants in a service initiative were assessed using a novel measure based on an empirically based conceptual framework of recovery. The INSPIRE determines the level of recovery promoting support received from mental health staff and the quality of the supportive relationship as perceived by individual service users.ResultsA consistent pattern of beliefs about recovery in keeping with national guidelines and the international literature was apparent. All respondents indicated that support by other people was an important part of their recovery with high levels of support received from mental health professionals. There was less consistent endorsement of the quality of relationships with professionals and recovery-oriented practice as perceived by participants.ConclusionThe findings are highly relevant to the development of recovery focused, clinically excellent services. Further work is needed to improve the process of translating recovery guidance into mental health practice.

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What’s citizenship got to do with mental health? Rationale for inclusion of citizenship as part of a mental health strategy

Journal of Public Mental Health ◽

10.1108/jpmh-04-2019-0040 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 18 (3) ◽

pp. 157-161

Author(s):

Gillian MacIntyre ◽

Nicola Ann Cogan ◽

Ailsa Elizabeth Stewart ◽

Neil Quinn ◽

Michael Rowe ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Policy ◽

Lived Experience ◽

Concept Mapping ◽

Mental Health Policy ◽

Policy And Practice ◽

Content Type ◽

Health Strategy ◽

Health Policy And Practice ◽

Peer Researchers

Purpose People with lived experience of mental health problems (MHPs) are often marginalised and have difficulty achieving community inclusion. Citizenship, a relatively novel concept in mental health, provides a means of understanding what is necessary for marginalised individuals and groups to gain a sense of belonging within their communities. By exploring the “what, why, how and who” of citizenship, the purpose of this paper is to provide a rationale for the inclusion of citizenship as part of a person-centred and holistic mental health strategy. Design/methodology/approach A community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach, with peer researchers, was adopted to develop a model of citizenship within a Scottish context. The aim of the model is to link the concept of citizenship with specific strategies that systems, agencies and individuals can use within mental health policy and practice to promote greater inclusion and participation. Concept mapping was used as part of a mixed-methods participatory methodology and data were then analysed using multivariate statistical methods of multidimensional scaling and hierarchical cluster analysis. Findings It is argued that using a CBPR approach, utilising concept mapping, encourages the development of a model of citizenship that is entirely grounded in the perspectives and lived experiences of people with MHPs. The need for adequate resources, preparatory work, training, research management and reflexive practice are key to the success of a CBPR approach with peer researchers. Originality/value Working with peer researchers and key stakeholder groups is central to a CBPR approach and the implementation of a model of citizenship within mental health policy and practice. Developing a model of citizenship derived specifically from the experiences of people with lived experience is likely to promote their inclusion. It provides a means of challenging the structural deficits and inequalities that cause distress and prevent people with lived experience of MHPs of recovering their citizenship.

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Utilising community engagement approaches to influence public mental health policy in a rural setting

Journal of Public Mental Health ◽

10.1108/jpmh-07-2018-0045 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 19 (2) ◽

pp. 169-178

Author(s):

Claire Thirlwall ◽

Sandy Whitelaw

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Policy ◽

Community Engagement ◽

Social Inclusion ◽

Mental Health Policy ◽

Public Mental Health ◽

Rural Setting ◽

Content Type ◽

Community Perspectives ◽

Health Strategy

Purpose Drawing on the notion of “mental health policy participation”, the purpose of this paper is to describe and reflect on a regional case study of a community engagement approach that explored community perspectives on mental health and the factors that influence it. It established three expectations, that: the development of the Dumfries and Galloway Public Mental Health Strategy is informed by project outputs; services and innovations are based on what people want; active involvement of local people in decision making around mental health services and strategy is achieved. Design/methodology/approach A “participatory appraisal” approach was used to engage with communities. A three-day “Training of Trainers” exercise was undertaken. These individuals then accessed a number of community groups. Data collection was based on five key questions. A total of 443 were engaged in the process. Insights were reviewed by 20 stakeholders from a range of services to identify key actions. This led to the development of the mental health forum and, in turn, a Public Mental Health Strategy for Dumfries and Galloway. Community members were further included in processes through feedback mechanisms. Findings Factors of resilience, support of families and friends, social inclusion, access to social and leisure opportunities were most important. This was followed by structural issues like fear of judgement, lack of transport, discrimination and financial support. Finally, individual factors (sleep, meaningful hobbies and health) were highlighted. Originality/value This approach sought to go beyond a traditional focus to explore broader community perspectives on mental health and the factors that influence it.

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Understanding ‘recovery’

Advances in Psychiatric Treatment ◽

10.1192/apt.bp.112.010355 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 19 (6) ◽

pp. 400-409 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

Glenn Roberts ◽

Jed Boardman

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Policy ◽

Mental Health Policy ◽

Personal Recovery ◽

Clinical Recovery ◽

Recovery Movement ◽

Factors Influencing ◽

Principal Factors

SummaryThe principles of recovery have been supported by UK mental health policy and have been incorporated into policy in several countries worldwide. In this article we examine the ideas, principles and definitions of recovery and their origins. Personal recovery is contrasted with clinical recovery and the nature and development of the recovery movement is outlined. The principal factors influencing personal recovery are hope, control and opportunity. In an accompanying article we discuss the implications of these principles for training and practice.

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