British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 78(8), 2015, pp.508-515.
Publisher:
Sage
Introduction: Engagement in meaningful occupations is of central importance in mental health recovery. The purpose of this study was to gain a richer understanding of the relationships between occupations, sources of meaning and recovery for people living with mental illness.
Method: People living with mental illness (n = 78) attending an Australian Clubhouse completed the recovery assessment skills/personal development; time use/routine; financial gain and fun/pleasure. Neither the occupations identified as most meaningful nor the source of meaning differed depending on level of recovery.
Conclusion: Irrespective of stage of recovery, socially derived aspects of meaning are most frequently prioritized by people living with mental illness. In facilitating engagement in personally meaningful
(Publisher abstract)
Introduction: Engagement in meaningful occupations is of central importance in mental health recovery. The purpose of this study was to gain a richer understanding of the relationships between occupations, sources of meaning and recovery for people living with mental illness.
Method: People living with mental illness (n = 78) attending an Australian Clubhouse completed the recovery assessment scale and socially valued role classification scale. Qualitative and quantitative data were analysed using mixed methods.
Findings: The most meaningful occupations were those most likely to provide opportunities for social connection and being valued by others. The frequency with which these socially derived sources of meaning were identified far outweighed other sources: positive sense of self; skills/personal development; time use/routine; financial gain and fun/pleasure. Neither the occupations identified as most meaningful nor the source of meaning differed depending on level of recovery.
Conclusion: Irrespective of stage of recovery, socially derived aspects of meaning are most frequently prioritized by people living with mental illness. In facilitating engagement in personally meaningful occupations, occupational therapists need to understand that, for many, meaningfulness centres around inter-dependence: being with others, belonging, giving or contributing and being valued by others.
(Publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
participation, recovery, mental health problems, social inclusion;
Background and Objectives: Alcohol and substance misuse is prevalent among older adults, yet underdiagnosed and undertreated. More substance misuse intervention programs specifically designed for older adults and offered in various settings are needed. This project’s objectives were to (a) provide a detailed description of a Geriatric Substance Abuse Recovery Program (GSARP) designed
(Edited publisher abstract)
Background and Objectives: Alcohol and substance misuse is prevalent among older adults, yet underdiagnosed and undertreated. More substance misuse intervention programs specifically designed for older adults and offered in various settings are needed. This project’s objectives were to (a) provide a detailed description of a Geriatric Substance Abuse Recovery Program (GSARP) designed and implemented at post-acute rehabilitation units of a skilled nursing facility and (b) report findings of a study conducted to evaluate if GSARP participation among post-acute care patients with substance misuse issues can optimize rehabilitation outcomes (i.e., being discharged home vs. another setting). Research Design and Methods: A pretest–posttest study design with data obtained from patients’ electronic medical record upon facility admission, during post-acute stay, and after discharge (N = 271). Based on Andersen’s model of health care utilization, we investigated which predisposing factors (e.g., ethnicity), enabling factors (e.g., cognition and social support), and need-related factors (e.g., activities of daily living functioning), as well as health behaviors (e.g., GSARP participation) predicted likelihood of being discharged home versus another discharge setting. Results: Patients participating in the GSARP and patients who received social support from family members and friends during their post-acute stay were more likely to be discharged home. Patients with severe cognitive impairment were less likely to be discharged home. Discussion and Implications: The GSARP eliminates some common barriers often encountered in the screening and delivery process of substance misuse interventions for older adults. Findings support the effectiveness of the GSARP in optimizing rehabilitation outcomes for older adults with substance misuse issues.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Journal of Mental Health Training Education and Practice, 13(3), 2018, pp.157 - 166).
Publisher:
Emerald
... to analyse the data and theoretical lens of sociological theories of institutional logics was employed to explore the findings. Findings: These benefits are perceived to include empowerment and meaning in life, which are two of the core principles of recovery; arts engagement can, therefore, be a useful tool in recovery. The findings also show that the experience of visiting a museum was not always positive and depended upon the interaction with the museum educators. Originality/value: The service users identified arts engagement as creating meaning in life and empowerment, which are two element in the conceptual framework, CHIME (an acronym for: Connectedness, Hope and optimism, Identity, Meaning in life and Empowerment), that describes the human process of recovery. The findings also highlighted that if museums want to engage positively with people with mental health problems and contribute to their recovery then the training of staff and the improvement of institutional approaches to support working with vulnerable people are essential.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Purpose: Arts and cultural activities have been illustrated to be beneficial for mental health service users. The purpose of this paper is to explore the benefits of museum visits and engage in arts activities for mental health service users. Design/methodology/approach: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 mental health service users in Denmark. A thematic approach was used to analyse the data and theoretical lens of sociological theories of institutional logics was employed to explore the findings. Findings: These benefits are perceived to include empowerment and meaning in life, which are two of the core principles of recovery; arts engagement can, therefore, be a useful tool in recovery. The findings also show that the experience of visiting a museum was not always positive and depended upon the interaction with the museum educators. Originality/value: The service users identified arts engagement as creating meaning in life and empowerment, which are two element in the conceptual framework, CHIME (an acronym for: Connectedness, Hope and optimism, Identity, Meaning in life and Empowerment), that describes the human process of recovery. The findings also highlighted that if museums want to engage positively with people with mental health problems and contribute to their recovery then the training of staff and the improvement of institutional approaches to support working with vulnerable people are essential.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
arts, mental health problems, mental health, recovery, participation, empowerment;
Community Mental Health Journal, 55(6), 2019, pp.994-1003.
Publisher:
Springer
... contributes to the personal and social recovery of its participants. At the personal level, attending the facility, activation and feeling accepted were valued positively. At the social level, engaging with others, experiencing a sense of community, and learning from one another’s social skills were positive contributors. Next, various environmental factors proved important. The New Club demonstrates
(Edited publisher abstract)
Many older community-living persons with schizophrenia report unmet psychological and social needs. The Amsterdam-based New Club is a novel facility that intends to foster self-reliance and social participation in this group. To explore participants’ and staff perceptions, a naturalistic qualitative study combined participant observation with interviews. The results illustrate how the New Club contributes to the personal and social recovery of its participants. At the personal level, attending the facility, activation and feeling accepted were valued positively. At the social level, engaging with others, experiencing a sense of community, and learning from one another’s social skills were positive contributors. Next, various environmental factors proved important. The New Club demonstrates the feasibility of creating a facility that offers an accepting and non-demanding social environment to older community-living individuals with severe mental illnesses. It may offer a suitable alternative for the more demanding psychotherapeutic interventions offered to younger populations.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
schizophrenia, recovery, innovation, intervention, older people, unmet need, participation, self care, environmental factors, qualitative research;
Mental Health and Social Inclusion, 22(3), 2018, pp.114 -120.
Publisher:
Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to highlight how mental health recovery may involve family members and supporting the needs of parents who become mental health service users. Policies now recognise the importance of family but how much are they implemented? Design/methodology/approach: A search was carried out for recent papers (past 12 months) on mental health services and the family. Findings: Two papers summarise recent research on family involvement in mental health services. As well as highlighting what prevents families being involved in mental health services and care planning, they discuss what works and some challenges of involvement. A third paper highlights how parents who become service users can have their parenting needs supported as part of their recovery. Originality/value: All three papers highlight recent developments in relation to the family and recovery. Despite policies about family involvement, there is a need for organisational change to fully incorporate the social nature of mental health and recovery. The papers suggest ways forward based on examples of what works.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to highlight how mental health recovery may involve family members and supporting the needs of parents who become mental health service users. Policies now recognise the importance of family but how much are they implemented? Design/methodology/approach: A search was carried out for recent papers (past 12 months) on mental health services and the family. Findings: Two papers summarise recent research on family involvement in mental health services. As well as highlighting what prevents families being involved in mental health services and care planning, they discuss what works and some challenges of involvement. A third paper highlights how parents who become service users can have their parenting needs supported as part of their recovery. Originality/value: All three papers highlight recent developments in relation to the family and recovery. Despite policies about family involvement, there is a need for organisational change to fully incorporate the social nature of mental health and recovery. The papers suggest ways forward based on examples of what works.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
recovery, mental health, families, parents, family members, mental health services, family support, recovery approach, participation;
Mental Health and Social Inclusion, 22(3), 2018, pp.149-156.
Publisher:
Emerald
Purpose: There is growing evidence of the contribution participatory arts practice may make towards mental health recovery. The purpose of this paper is to examine this phenomenon by critically reviewing the relevant literature in the light of the CHIME theoretical framework that identifies the components and processes of mental health recovery. Design/methodology/approach: Using a critical realist review method, the study draws upon foundational social and psychological theories offering an analysis of the identified mental health recovery processes in relation to participatory arts activities for people that use mental health services. Findings: This review identifies themes that permeate the categories of CHIME and are widely delivered by participatory arts in mental health projects. These themes define the essence of a recovery approach of care and are delivered, sometimes uniquely, through arts in mental health work. Originality/value: Whilst mental health outcomes are frequently sought in participatory arts projects, there is sparse theoretical evidence to under-pin such work. This review provides potential recovery outcomes through a theoretical inquiry into participatory arts
(Edited publisher abstract)
Purpose: There is growing evidence of the contribution participatory arts practice may make towards mental health recovery. The purpose of this paper is to examine this phenomenon by critically reviewing the relevant literature in the light of the CHIME theoretical framework that identifies the components and processes of mental health recovery. Design/methodology/approach: Using a critical realist review method, the study draws upon foundational social and psychological theories offering an analysis of the identified mental health recovery processes in relation to participatory arts activities for people that use mental health services. Findings: This review identifies themes that permeate the categories of CHIME and are widely delivered by participatory arts in mental health projects. These themes define the essence of a recovery approach of care and are delivered, sometimes uniquely, through arts in mental health work. Originality/value: Whilst mental health outcomes are frequently sought in participatory arts projects, there is sparse theoretical evidence to under-pin such work. This review provides potential recovery outcomes through a theoretical inquiry into participatory arts and psychosocial theories.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
mental health problems, mental health, recovery, arts, participation, social inclusion, art therapy, outcomes;
Journal of Mental Health Training Education and Practice, 13(1), 2018, pp.34-43.
Publisher:
Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the discourses that shape nurses’ understanding of self-harm and explore strategies for working with people who self-harm in a relational and a recovery-oriented manner.Design/methodology/approach: Self-harm is a relatively common experience for a cohort of people who present to the mental health services and is, therefore, a phenomenon that mental health nurses will be familiar with. Traditionally, however, mental health nurses’ responses to people who self-harm have been largely framed by a risk adverse and biomedical discourse which positions self-harm as a “symptom” of a diagnosed mental illness, most often borderline personality disorder. Findings: This has led to the development of largely unhelpful strategies to eliminate self-harm, often in the absence of real therapeutic engagement, which can have negative outcomes for the person. Attitudes towards those who self-harm amongst mental health nurses can also be problematic, particularly when those who hurt themselves are perceived to be attention seeking and beyond help. This, in turn, has a negative impact on treatment outcomes and future help-seeking intentions. Research limitations/implications: Despite some deficiencies in how mental health nurses respond to people who self-harm, it is widely recognised that they have an important role to play in self-harm prevention reduction and harm minimisation. Practical implications: By moving the focus of practice away from the traditional concept of “risk” towards co-constructed collaborative safety planning, mental health nurses can respond in a more embodied individualised and sensitive manner to those who self-harm. Originality/value: This paper adds further knowledge and understanding to assist nurses’ understanding and working with people who self-harm in a relational and a recovery-oriented manner.
(Publisher abstract)
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the discourses that shape nurses’ understanding of self-harm and explore strategies for working with people who self-harm in a relational and a recovery-oriented manner.Design/methodology/approach: Self-harm is a relatively common experience for a cohort of people who present to the mental health services and is, therefore, a phenomenon that mental health nurses will be familiar with. Traditionally, however, mental health nurses’ responses to people who self-harm have been largely framed by a risk adverse and biomedical discourse which positions self-harm as a “symptom” of a diagnosed mental illness, most often borderline personality disorder. Findings: This has led to the development of largely unhelpful strategies to eliminate self-harm, often in the absence of real therapeutic engagement, which can have negative outcomes for the person. Attitudes towards those who self-harm amongst mental health nurses can also be problematic, particularly when those who hurt themselves are perceived to be attention seeking and beyond help. This, in turn, has a negative impact on treatment outcomes and future help-seeking intentions. Research limitations/implications: Despite some deficiencies in how mental health nurses respond to people who self-harm, it is widely recognised that they have an important role to play in self-harm prevention reduction and harm minimisation. Practical implications: By moving the focus of practice away from the traditional concept of “risk” towards co-constructed collaborative safety planning, mental health nurses can respond in a more embodied individualised and sensitive manner to those who self-harm. Originality/value: This paper adds further knowledge and understanding to assist nurses’ understanding and working with people who self-harm in a relational and a recovery-oriented manner.
(Publisher abstract)
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to describe a high-profile social enterprise in Blackpool, England, called Jobs, Friends and Houses (JFH) that has created a visible social identity of recovery and meaningful activity, to assess how stigma is challenged through active and visible community engagement.
Design/methodology/approach: Case study based on in-depth individual interview and focus been central to challenging stereotypes and discriminating attitudes and suggests that a social identity approach may be central to generating and sustaining a recovery community and to confronting and reversing long-held stigmatised attitudes.
Originality/value: The paper is important as it discusses the impact of recovery through engagement in meaningful activities that challenge stigma and exclusion through work. The paper is framed in terms of a social identity model of recovery.
(Publisher abstract)
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to describe a high-profile social enterprise in Blackpool, England, called Jobs, Friends and Houses (JFH) that has created a visible social identity of recovery and meaningful activity, to assess how stigma is challenged through active and visible community engagement.
Design/methodology/approach: Case study based on in-depth individual interview and focus group, supplemented by participant in-depth interviews.
Findings: The paper describes one particular incident in which a worker at JFH intervened in a violent attack, possibly saving a woman’s life. The paper describes the experiences of internalised stigma and external exclusion being challenged by the development of a positive social identity and a pro-social community role that has high visibility. Data are presented showing the strong social identity experienced by participants and recognised by external stakeholders.
Research limitations/implications: This is a pilot study which uses an opportunistic design and much stronger longitudinal designs will be needed to address the issues raised in the paper.
Social implications: The paper argues that the visibility of the pro-social identity has been central to challenging stereotypes and discriminating attitudes and suggests that a social identity approach may be central to generating and sustaining a recovery community and to confronting and reversing long-held stigmatised attitudes.
Originality/value: The paper is important as it discusses the impact of recovery through engagement in meaningful activities that challenge stigma and exclusion through work. The paper is framed in terms of a social identity model of recovery.
(Publisher abstract)
Purpose: Peer harm reduction programmes engage service users in service delivery and may help peers to develop employment skills, better health, greater stability, and new goals. Thus far, peer work has not been discussed as an intervention to promote recovery. The purpose of this paper is to provide findings related to two research questions: first, do low-threshold employment programmes have the potential to contribute to positive recovery capital, and if so, how? Second, how are such programmes designed and what challenges do they face in supporting the recovery process?
Design/methodology/approach: Using a community-based research approach, data were collected at a Toronto, Canada community health centre using in-depth interviews with peer workers (n=5), staff (n=5), and programme clients (n=4) and two focus groups with peer workers (n=12). A thematic analysis was undertaken to describe the programme model and to explore the mechanisms by which participation contributes to the development of recovery capital.
Findings: The design of the Regent Park Community Health Centre peer work model demonstrates how opportunities for participation in community activities may spark cumulative growth in positive recovery capital within the community of PUDs. However, the recovery contagion of peer work may lose momentum with insufficient opportunities for new and experienced peer workers.
Originality/value: Using the concept of recovery capital, the authors demonstrate how low-threshold employment interventions have the potential to contribute to the development of positive recovery
(Publisher abstract)
Purpose: Peer harm reduction programmes engage service users in service delivery and may help peers to develop employment skills, better health, greater stability, and new goals. Thus far, peer work has not been discussed as an intervention to promote recovery. The purpose of this paper is to provide findings related to two research questions: first, do low-threshold employment programmes have the potential to contribute to positive recovery capital, and if so, how? Second, how are such programmes designed and what challenges do they face in supporting the recovery process?
Design/methodology/approach: Using a community-based research approach, data were collected at a Toronto, Canada community health centre using in-depth interviews with peer workers (n=5), staff (n=5), and programme clients (n=4) and two focus groups with peer workers (n=12). A thematic analysis was undertaken to describe the programme model and to explore the mechanisms by which participation contributes to the development of recovery capital.
Findings: The design of the Regent Park Community Health Centre peer work model demonstrates how opportunities for participation in community activities may spark cumulative growth in positive recovery capital within the community of PUDs. However, the recovery contagion of peer work may lose momentum with insufficient opportunities for new and experienced peer workers.
Originality/value: Using the concept of recovery capital, the authors demonstrate how low-threshold employment interventions have the potential to contribute to the development of positive recovery capital.
(Publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
recovery, service users, peer support, communities, models, participation, drug misuse, employment;
Child and Family Social Work, 20(3), 2015, pp.354-363.
Publisher:
Wiley
Goal setting is an important element within mental health recovery models; however, parenting and children are rarely recognised in such approaches. This study outlines a family recovery planning model where a parent has a mental health or dual substance and mental health problem. The differences between family types (parent with a mental illness or parent with dual diagnosis) and family members
(Publisher abstract)
Goal setting is an important element within mental health recovery models; however, parenting and children are rarely recognised in such approaches. This study outlines a family recovery planning model where a parent has a mental health or dual substance and mental health problem. The differences between family types (parent with a mental illness or parent with dual diagnosis) and family members (parent and children) are illustrated in terms of goals across 11 domains. There were a total of 33 parents and 50 children from 10 mental illness and 10 dual diagnosis families. Education and specifically mental health knowledge are important goals across all families and appear especially important for children whose parent has a dual diagnosis. Specific goals and achievement levels for each type of family and parents and children are also outlined. Clear areas for action by clinicians and family members are indicated by this study.
(Publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
recovery, families, mental health problems, dual diagnosis, substance misuse, family support, participation, models, children, prevention;