A psychological view of people with serious mental illness

Abstract

Focusing on a variety of relevant psychological theories, this chapter addresses important elements in the recovery process for people with serious mental disabilities.

Competencies for direct service staff members who work with adults with severe mental illnesses: Specific knowledge, attitudes, skills, and bibliography.

“…C.2 Foster a sense of hope.C.3 Shift from a stance of demoralizing pessimism to rational optimism.C.4 Help foster the cycle of empowerment, hope, and independence.C.5 Reframe relapses from “failure” to “opportunity to learn.”C.6 Know that recovery is not a linear process, but involves growth and setbacks, periods of rapid and of little change.C.7 Use caring crisis response techniques.Demonstrate holistic understanding of adults with mental illness, including awareness of: D.1 Basic need for food, shelter, clothing, affiliation, and dignity that are essential if direct mental health services are to be effective (Mueser, Bond, Drake & Resnick, 1998; Stein & Santos, 1998). D.2 Personal experiences and world viewD.3 Individual strengths, interests, and capabilities.D.4 Multiple biological (Green, 1998; Hirsch & Weinberger, 1995) psychological, and societal sources (e. g., stigma, illness label) that impact illness, ability to function, and self-expectations (Coursey, 1994). D.5 Recovery process (Spaniol & Koehler, 1995; Spaniol, Koehler & Hutchinson, 1994).…”

The Transformation of Mental Health Services To a Recovery-Orientated System of Care: Canadian Decision Maker Perspectives

“…Provider competency standards and training are another area of recovery implementation where considerable work has occurred internationally. Coursey et al, (2000a;2000b) fi rst defi ned 12 core competencies for mental health providers based on recovery values. The American Association of Community Psychiatrists (Sowers, 2005) followed suit, publishing practice guidelines for its membership.…”

“…Coursey et al, (2000a;2000b) first defined 12 core competencies for mental health providers based on recovery values. The American Association of Community Psychiatrists (Sowers, 2005) followed suit, publishing practice guidelines for its membership.…”

Lisa’s lessons: A case study of mental health teaching and learning

“…Other recommendations for curriculum inclusions, based on research from various health‐care disciplines, include care of the chronically and seriously mentally ill, women, the aged and AIDS issues ( Cavallaro, 1991; Coursey, 1994; Firn, 1993; Henderson, 1990; O’Brien, 1993; White, 1986).…”