Getting by, getting back, and getting on: Matching mental health services to consumers’ recovery goals.

Abstract

Objective The goal of this study was to better understand mental health recovery from the point of view of mental health consumers in order to identify opportunities for practice improvements that align services closely with consumer goals and consumer-preferred outcomes. Methods As part of an exploratory study of recovery, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 177 integrated health plan members diagnosed with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, or affective psychosis. Transcripts of in-depth interviews were coded using Atlas.ti and definitions of recovery were further subcoded. A qualitative analysis using a modified grounded theory approach and constant comparative method identified common themes and less common but potentially important recovery-related experiences and perspectives. Results Three primary and two cross-cutting themes emerged. “Getting by” meant coping and meeting basic needs. “Getting back” meant learning to live with mental illness. “Getting on” meant living a life where mental illness was no longer prominent. Regaining control and recouping losses were cross-cutting themes. Conclusions/Implications for Practice Mental health recovery is complex and dynamic; individuals’ recovery goals can be expected to change over time. Person-centered care must accommodate changing consumer priorities, services must be flexible and responsive, and outcomes need to match consumers’ objectives. Clinicians can assist in: 1) identifying recovery goals, 2) monitoring progress toward and recognizing movement away from goals, 3) tailoring support to different phases/stages, and 4) supporting transitions between phases/stages.

The 20-Year Longitudinal Trajectories of Social Functioning in Individuals With Psychotic Disorders

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“…For example, there may be no current treatment concerns or questions to raise. Relatedly, each consumer’s unique goals and definitions of recovery may drive the elements of active involvement that are most salient (Yarborough et al, 2016). …”

Meaningful Activities and Recovery (MA&R): the effect of a novel rehabilitation intervention among persons with psychiatric disabilities on activity engagement—study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

“…Substantial evidence shows that psychiatric disability is influenced by a complex interplay of symptoms, personal factors such as self-efficacy, and environmental conditions such as stigma or access to support [3][4][5][6]. Qualitative studies [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] in persons living with psychiatric disabilities have found that activity engagement is often reduced [7-9, 13, 14]. Simple activities, such as getting out of bed or leaving the house, can be arduous or sometimes impossible [8,13,14].…”

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