Recovery in Australia: Marshalling strengths and living values

Abstract

Clear national policy now exists in Australia regarding recovery. Personal accounts of recovery often include reference to meaning, purpose and issues regarding identity. Personal strengths and expression of personal values are closely related to the development of meaning, purpose and a stable sense of self, resulting in a sense of wellbeing. These constructs fall under the research umbrella of positive psychology. By combining aspects of the recovery policy with evidence from the science of positive psychology there are increasing attempts to include strengths and values work with mental health staff and consumers. This paper describes how the collaborative recovery model (CRM) with its emphasis on strengths and values, draws on the emerging evidence based on positive psychology. CRM has now been implemented in non-government community services in each mainland state of Australia. Implementation issues of the CRM as one example of recovery-orientated service provision are then described. Potential barriers and facilitators of growth-based approaches such as CRM moving to government clinical services is then discussed. Recent national reviews of recovery measurement instruments are also summarized. Specific recommendations are then provided to further national implementation of recovery-orientated service provision in Australia.

Optimizing delivery of recovery‐oriented online self‐management strategies for bipolar disorder: a review

“…The client‐centered recovery paradigm is consistent with the elevation of subjective quality of life (QoL) as an outcome measure in BD, as QoL focuses attention on the lived experience and personally meaningful goals of people with BD . Indeed, in some recent accounts, the constructs of wellness, recovery and positive psychology are seen as interconnected strands in a new paradigm of health service delivery .…”

Service user experiences of REFOCUS: a process evaluation of a pro-recovery complex intervention

“…Despite emerging clarity around the meaning of personal recovery [2,5] and the prioritisation of personal recovery in mental health service policy, delivery of a recovery-orientation within routine practice remains a challenge [6,7,8]. Concerns have been raised about the mainstreaming of recovery within services [9], and how services can successfully balance risk management within a recovery-promoting service which aims to minimise coercion [10].…”

Recovery‐Oriented Care in Older‐Adult Acute Inpatient Mental Health Settings in Australia: An Exploratory Study

“…Recovery‐oriented care is a preferred policy‐directed model of mental health care provision in many countries in the developed world . Recovery is described as a unique journey that consumers lead with the aim of regaining control of their lives in order to live a good life . Thus, Australian older‐adult inpatient mental health organizations must strive to address the holistic needs of each consumer to assist with his or her unique recovery journey…”

“…[3][4][5] Recovery is described as a unique journey that consumers lead with the aim of regaining control of their lives 6 in order to live a good life. [7][8][9] Thus, Australian older-adult inpatient mental health organizations must strive to address the holistic needs of each consumer to assist with his or her unique recovery journey. 9 The aging population in the developed world is projected to contribute to an increased demand for care from health systems, 10,11 in part because of advances in medical treatment.…”