How experienced social workers apply recovery-oriented mental health policies in everyday practice

Knowledge and attitudes of mental health professionals and students regarding recovery: A systematic review

“…The internal recovery process may comprise of reclaiming various aspects of the self or learning about the self to overcome the effects of mental illness (Jacob et al 2015). Nine studies described the internal recovery process with attributes such as self‐esteem, independent self, self‐realization, self‐improvement, betterment, managing aspects of daily living, and empowerment (Cleary et al 2013; Gaffey et al 2016; Gilburt et al 2013; Jackson‐Blott et al 2019; Karpetis 2018; Khoury & Rodriguez 2015; Sparkes 2018). More specifically, the internal recovery process focused on the individuals' own goals and priorities (dreams, hopes, and aspirations), belief in the possibility of change, encouraging personal ownership, and responsibility for well‐being (Parker et al 2017), the independent self (Sparkes 2018), as well as maximizing quality of life and potential for meaningful activity (Tickle et al 2014).…”

“…Alternatively, the external recovery process described how consumers are presented in the external world without being affected by symptoms of mental illness or living life in the community like everyone else (Jacob et al 2015). Six studies classified the external recovery process according to attributes such as social inclusion, relationship, and attaining an optimum level of functioning in the community (Gaffey et al 2016; Gilburt et al 2013; Jackson‐Blott et al 2019; Jacob et al 2015; Karpetis 2018; Parker et al 2017; Sellin et al 2018).…”

“…Five studies described several factors that can expedite the personal recovery process of consumers. These factors include collaborative or multidisciplinary teamwork, therapeutic rapport, good communication skills (Gaffey et al 2016; Karpetis 2018; Sellin et al 2018), showing ‘empathy, the ability to listen’ (Gaffey et al 2016), caring, helping, supporting, being respectful and open (Gilburt et al 2013), assessing risk (Karpetis 2018), and consumer involvement in service utilization (Gilburt et al 2013). In addition, two studies recommended factors such as staff involvement and developing idiosyncratic management strategies in delivering recovery‐oriented services (Gilburt et al 2013; Jackson‐Blott et al 2019).…”

“…Furthermore, several studies have recommended interventions that can be applied to achieve personal recovery. These interventions include meaningful activity, training and stress management (Gilburt et al 2013), advocacy, counselling, family therapy, problem‐solving, cognitive‐behavioural and dialectic behavioural (Karpetis 2018), and by taking into account the emotional, spiritual, social, and the physical factors that may impact the effectiveness of the intervention (Gilburt et al 2013).…”

“…Specifically, one paper said that the term recovery in itself resounds of illness and being ill (Sparkes 2018) and claims that the long‐term nature of some psychiatric problems cannot be escaped (Khoury & Rodriguez 2015; Sparkes 2018). In addition, seven studies explained recovery with attributes such as medication adherence, reduction in symptoms, improved mental state, and improved behaviour, reduction in the risk of reoffending, risks and distress from the consumers (Cleary et al 2013; Gilburt et al 2013; Jackson‐Blott et al 2019; Karpetis 2018; Tickle et al 2014), return to pre‐illness state (Gilburt et al 2013; Jacob et al 2015; Khoury & Rodriguez 2015), and being better and living a normal life (Sparkes 2018). Gilburt et al (2013) suggested that MHPs are primary agents and implementers of recovery and also improved the service they provide to consumers.…”