Recovery In Mental Health

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Recovery based practice is not a new concept within mental health, although the term ‘Recovery’ has came to the forefront in recent times with the new Mental Health Act being introduced. Over the past years, mental health services has become increasingly led by consumers, with recovery as a key feature in treatment. Recovery-orientated mental health practice has become a focus globally and is now incorporated in most mental health policies. Despite this, studies prove that many consumer's feel the principles of recovery are not included in their care (Gale and Marshall-Lucette, 2012). A professional focus on recovery is important as it provides an insight into how consumer's feel their care can be improved (Aston and Coffey, 2012). It also helps them to realise what abilities and qualities they possess (Dorrer and Schinkel, 2008). The word recovery has different meanings to people, however, the true understanding of the word remains limited.Recovery is about building a meaningful and satisfying life, as defined by the individual themselves, no matter which stage of their illness. Davidson et al (2007), described recovery as ‘having an identity separate from ones condition and having a life that is satisfying, fulfilling, and contributing to others despite of or within the limitations imposed by the condition’. Recovery provides a new way of thinking in mental health system.

Biological, psychological, physical, environmental, economic, social and political factors all impact on health and wellbeing of an individual. For this reason alone it is important that we all know what recovery means and how nurses can conceptualise and incorporate principles of recovery within every aspects of care by working collaboratively and holisti...

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...” (Dow, Haralambous et al., 2006). This adaption of recover oriented care involves; getting to know the consumers by knowing their needs, preferences, life goals, life history, and what or who is important to them as well as empowering the consumer by allowing them to make decisions which will affect their life. In some cases, particularly when providing recovery oriented care for consumers with dementia, there is the potential for the term ‘recovery’ to be misleading. It may give an unrealistic expectation of recovery, and removes the focus from understanding the nature of the progression of the dementing illness (Hill et al., 2010). However, recovery approaches can provide people with a sense of being valued and respected, leading to improved wellbeing and quality of life. This can be enhanced further when used in collaboration with person-centred care practices.

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