Training in Mental Health Recovery and Social Justice in the Public Sector

Abstract

Individuals who experience serious mental illness (SMI) frequently encounter stigma and disenfranchisement. Attention to this concern necessitates a social justice focus within the mental health field. This article explores the significance and critical foundations of a psychology training experience grounded in a social justice and recovery-oriented perspective to answer the call for a focus on social justice and empowerment for individuals with SMI in mental health recovery. A specific training program is highlighted as an example of how social justice and recovery-oriented psychology training can be conducted. It includes theoretical foundations, trainee and supervision factors, a training model, and a description of didactic, clinical, consultation, interdisciplinary, and recovery-initiative training experiences. Last, specific successes and challenges of this type of training experience, as well as recommendations for future program development, are shared.

Veterans’ Perspectives on the Psychosocial Impact of Killing in War

“…Counseling psychologists may be particularly adept at organizing and advocating for creative venues that connect veterans with one another and make it possible to have difficult conversations about war in safe and accepting environments. Such advocacy is consistent with the field's emphasis on social action and community engagement (Carr, Bhagwat, Miller, & Ponce, 2014;Danish et al, 2007;Hodge, Danish, & Martin, 2013;Hoffman & Kruczek, 2011;Vera & Speight, 2003). Here, there is an obligation not only to connect veterans with other veterans, but also to create the opportunity for civilians and veterans to engage one another in meaningful, nonjudgmental discussions about the significance of war and the impact of war's violence.…”

Provider lived experience and stigma.

“…The emergence of recovery model care, which focuses on empowering clients to direct their own care with a focus on their individual goals, was developed in part to mitigate stigma and enhance social justice by recognizing the oppression faced by this group (Carr, Bhagwat, Miller, & Ponce, 2014). This model of care also recognizes lived experience of a mental health challenge as a potential asset and frames recovery as an achievement and source of pride, to the extent that the model advocates professional peer support from individuals with lived experience of a mental health challenge as essential in recovery (Carr et al, 2014). There is evidence that this approach is successful in reducing stigma; empirical evidence shows that clients who are provided with higher levels of recovery model treatment resources report lower levels of internalized stigma (Wciórka, Switaj, & Anczewska, 2015).…”

Postdoctoral psychology training in preparation for specialization in serious mental illness.

“…Examining postdoctoral residency training is important because psychologists have increasingly recognized that specialized training is needed to provide adequate treatment for SMI (Carr, Bhagwat, Miller, & Ponce, 2014; Corrigan, Steiner, McCracken, Blaser, & Barr, 2001; Hargrove, 1990; Lefley, 1990; Mueser, Silverstein, & Farkas, 2013). However, many psychologists feel inadequately prepared to do so (Buck, Romeo, Olbert, & Penn, 2014; Mueser, 2012), emphasizing the need not only for specialized didactic and experiential training, but ongoing mentorship as well (Drake, Mueser, & Brunette, 2007).…”

“…One epidemiological study reported that only 15% of all individuals with SMI were receiving minimally adequate treatment (Wang, Demler, & Kessler, 2002). As such, it has increasingly been recognized that psychology trainees and psychologists require specialized training to provide adequate treatment for those with SMI (Carr, Bhagwat, Miller, & Ponce, 2014; Chu et al, 2012; Cohen, Abraham, Burk, & Stein, 2012; Corrigan, Steiner, McCracken, Blaser, & Barr, 2001; Hargrove, 1990; Hoge, Stayner, & Davidson, 2000; Lefley, 1990; Miller, Carr, Utter, Styron, & Steiner, 2017; Mueser, Silverstein, & Farkas, 2013; Roe, Yanos, & Lysaker, 2006). To bridge this gap, in 2014 the APA released a free curriculum for psychologists and other mental health professionals working with individuals with SMI (APA & Jansen, 2014).…”