No abstract

Recovery from serious and persistent mental illness (SPMI) is multi-faceted. Twenty individuals with SPMI who considered themselves successful in recovery participated in semi-structured interviews. Most were customers of mental health projects funded by NEBHANDS, a federal grant. Common themes on their paths to recovery included: (a) Finding acceptance and understanding of their mental illness; (b) Redefining their identity and preventing relapse; and (c) Finding ways to advocate to decrease stigma and help others along their paths. Also included in the interviews was the participants' descriptions of frequent barriers to recovery. An integration of informal networks with formal mental health services aided their recovery.

This descriptive study examined relationships between depression, health-promoting lifestyles, and physical illnesses in a sample of persons living in the community who self-reported being diagnosed with mental illnesses. Variables of age, gender, and participation in psychiatric rehabilitation services were investigated to determine significant relationships to depression and lifestyles. Fifty adults completed a demographic survey, the CES-Depression scale, and the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II. The findings emphasize the importance of psychiatric nurses assessing health-promoting lifestyles comprehensively in persons with serious mental illnesses and facilitating changes to improve both physical and mental health.