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

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

The Journal of Mental Health Training Education and Practice ◽

10.1108/jmhtep-06-2020-0035 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Michael John Norton ◽

Calvin Swords

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Policy ◽

Literature Review ◽

Mental Health Policy ◽

Personal Recovery ◽

Late 20Th Century ◽

Content Type ◽

New Interpretation ◽

Social Recovery ◽

Critical Literature

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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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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Continuity of supply of psychiatric medicines for newly received prisoners

The Psychiatrist ◽

10.1192/pb.bp.110.031757 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 35 (7) ◽

pp. 244-248 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Lamiece Hassan ◽

Jane Senior ◽

Dawn Edge ◽

Jenny Shaw

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Policy ◽

Clinical Assessment ◽

Mental Health Policy ◽

Case Note ◽

Additional Stress ◽

Clinical Implications ◽

Psychiatric Medication ◽

Retrospective Case ◽

Case Note Review

Aims and methodA retrospective case-note review was undertaken at five English prisons between June 2008 and March 2009 to estimate the proportion of psychiatric medicines (antidepressants, antipsychotics and hypnotics/anxiolytics) reported at prison reception that are discontinued on entry to prison.ResultsOf the 1006 records sampled, the review showed that 18% of prisoners had been prescribed psychiatric medication before being placed in custody. Altogether, 240 separate psychiatric medicines were recorded among prisoners at reception. Of these, 47% were not prescribed during the first week of custody. In only 11% of cases where medication was discontinued had psychiatric assessment been completed.Clinical implicationsPrison mental health policy states that psychiatric medication should not be withdrawn in custody without proper clinical assessment. Denial of medication in the absence of clinical assessment during early custody has the potential to create additional stress in individuals during a period of increased vulnerability and risk.

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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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