Recovery in Mental Health Care with the Aid of Photo-stories: An Action Research Based on the Principles of Hermeneutic Photography

Abstract

Our aim was to develop and evaluate an intervention that can be used in recovery oriented care to promote recovery processes and goals as found in the CHIME framework [1]. Using the Appreciative cycle and principles from the MRC-Framework for the development and Evaluation of complex interventions an intervention with photography has been designed and tested on 3 long stay wards of a mental health care hospital. 15 Service users participated and were photographed during 4 sessions. The intervention built on the expertise that already existed about rehabilitation approaches; especially the Strengths approach [2] and the findings from earlier studies into hermeneutic photography by the author. The intervention proved to inspire hope and meaning giving in service users and contributed to a transformation of relationships between service users and their mentor nurses. These relationships became more reciprocal and equal. The intervention yielded opportunities for service users to express their wishes and values in life. In this way they made a representation of the persons who they are. The photographs probably contribute to a greater self-esteem of the service users and may inspire them to use the action and what it meant to them for further recovery. The intervention put the service user in the lead and contributed to more mutuality in the relationship with the mentor nurse.

Enacted Narrative and Recovery: An Existential Analysis Based on Hermeneutic-Phenomenological Interpretation

“…What it takes is the will and intention to engage on the journey. Sometimes another, more creative approach is therefore wanted, for instance by inviting service users to make photographs that can serve as starting points for reflection and dialogue about strengths and values [19]. A more creative arts-based approach can better make use of the pre-discursive intuitive knowing.…”

“…This legitimizes the hermeneutic phenomenological approach (based on the work of Heidegger, Ricoeur and Cassirer) in our discussion of personal recovery and how professionals can facilitate or support it. The purpose of the article is to debate how people make meaning from their experiences when tackling the impact on their lives and the consequences of mental health problems [18][19][20][21][22].…”

Narrative and Meaning of Life: How Mental Health Nurses can Respond

“…The photographs invite reflection and together they make a story that shows where someone comes from, what journey was undertaken (activities) and where the journey led the client. This is a report with images that may function as a baken for the client and that reminds him of his journey and will stimulate further reflection on the things that are important in life [14] (Figure 2). The dog helps me tremendously.…”

“…These findings illustrate the broader relevance of the process of meaning-giving in recovery, but in this article we will focus on personal recovery, as this domain is considered by authors and service users alike as most important and also the culmination of recovery in the other domains [12]. We will reflect on how people use narratives to make meaning from their experiences when tackling the impact on their lives and the consequences of mental health problems [13][14][15][16][17].…”

Addressing Powers of Resilience by Photogr

“…This reinforced their self-esteem and made them sensitive to their potential for change, growth and recovery (Figure 1) [5]. We have reported on this psychosocial intervention in a publication, titled: Recovery in Mental Health Care with the Aid of Photo-stories: An Action Research Based on the Principles of Hermeneutic Photography [6].…”