A qualitative exploration of the recovery experiences of consumers who had undertaken shared management, person-centred and self-directed services

Abstract

Background: The mental health sector across states in Australia is moving to offering individualised funds and shared management, person-centred and self-directed (SPS) services. However, little is known about the recovery experiences of consumers with mental illness who had used a SPS service that was recently introduced in Western Australia. This study explored the recovery experiences of these consumers. Methods: Data relating to sixteen consumers' lived experiences were analysed using an abbreviated grounded theory approach. These data had been developed in the past by consumers, the Guides (staff) and an independent evaluator. Results: Four over-arching categories, and related sub-categories, emerged. These suggested that consumers' recovery experiences included them gaining: 1) a greater sense of empowerment; 2) expanded connections with the community, others and 'the self'; 3) an enriched sense of 'the self'; and 4) an enhanced quality of life. Conclusions: Access to SPS services, including having access to individualised funds, high quality shared management and person-centred relationships with the Guides, and a chance to self-direct services enabled consumers to have control over all aspects of their recovery journey, facilitated change and growth, and improved their capacity to self-direct services. Most consumers encountered a number of positive recovery experiences at varied levels that enhanced their lived experiences.

The impact of services that offer individualised funds, shared management, person-centred relationships, and self-direction on the lived experiences of consumers with mental illness

“…In these circumstances, the Guides worked with consumers to manage their disappointment and/or feelings of stress. Despite these initial challenges consumers seemed to encounter experiences that were beneficial to them, their families, and potentially their community, and these are discussed fully elsewhere [ 28 ].…”

“…This study analysed data that had been compiled in the past, which at that time captured both retrospective and current experiences (Additional file 1 ) of sixteen consumers with mental illness while they were undertaking a SPS service. This method is also reported elsewhere [ 28 ].…”

“…Corrective emotional experiences provide consumers with the opportunity to encounter relationships in new and enabling ways, which offers them a chance to re-learn and/or expand their experience of past relational patterns [ 26 ]. Consistent exposure to corrective emotional experiences support consumers to develop more helpful internal working models of themselves and their relationships with others and their world, which may enhance their motivation, growth and recovery experiences [ 25 , 26 , 28 ].…”

“…SPS services that provide consumers access to individualised funds and consistent and high quality shared management and person-centred relationships offer consumers the opportunity to self-direct their recovery journey to meet their life needs [ 1 , 13 - 15 , 20 , 21 , 27 , 28 ]. Recently, service providers across the Australian mental health sector, as have service providers in the UK and USA for the last 15 to 20 years, are introducing SPS services to consumers living with mental illness through policy and practice change [ 3 , 22 , 29 ].…”

Experiences, opinions and current policies on users’ choice and change of the allocated primary mental health professional: a survey among directors of community mental health centers in the Emilia-Romagna region, Italy

“…According to this paradigm shift, recovery-oriented mental health practice and service delivery affirm users' right to exercise self-determination, make decisions and be involved in the co-construction of their pathways of care [6][7][8]. One specific application of such innovative principles would be the involvement of users in decisions about the initial allocation or subsequent changes of the primary mental health professional (PMHP) in community mental health centers (CMHCs).…”