5 February 2009
More needs to be done to better support mental health service users in their recovery, according to a new report from the Mental Health Foundation and Strategic Network for Mental Health.
‘Recovery in Action’ says that mental health services could improve the standard of care by assisting individuals with their money, housing and healthcare needs - and by supporting them to self-manage their mental health related symptoms.
The research also found that if a person has hope, good social networks and relationships, and self-confidence, it can help in their recovery.
-- Services need to identify and address service users’ specific needs --
For individuals with specific needs and diversity issues, particularly those relating to sexual orientation, drug and alcohol misuse and previous trauma or abuse, additional support can aid a person’s recovery. ‘Recovery in Action’ calls on mental health services to identify and acknowledge the importance of specific needs in recovery and develop appropriate ways to address them.
Andrew McCulloch, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation, said:
“This may mean that some staff will need basic training around specific needs and diversity issues so that they feel confident and capable addressing such issues with service users. Where specialist support cannot be directly addressed within individual organisations, staff should be aware of how and where to direct service users for specialist support.”
The report makes a number of recommendations for policy makers, commissioners, organisations and service providers. It also gives direct advice to service users on how to ensure they are supported in their recovery.
Aileen Edwards, Chair of the Strategic Network for Mental Health, said:
“This research report is a landmark on the road to recovery. The challenge now is to keep the momentum going and fully realise the hope and opportunities a recovery-orientated service can offer to people with mental health problems.”
‘Recovery in Action’ is available to download from www.mentalhealth.org.uk
-- Summary of key recommendations --
Policy makers
- Ensure that recovery is central in the future review of mental health strategy at all levels.
- NHS Strategic Health Authorities should ensure recovery informs strategies for funding mental health services. Recovery should apply to all types of provision, including acute wards, not just well-being services.
Commissioners
- Reflect recovery outcomes in contract monitoring. Recovery should be explicit in service specifications. To ensure more than lip service is given to recovery, commissioners should ask for practical examples of how recovery is being delivered, such as case studies and user surveys.
- Ensure that service providers demonstrate the need for service users to take control of their environment through their support planning process.
Chief executives, board members, and organisations
- Recognise that recovery requires a change in attitude and culture and should be embedded in the collective culture of the organisation. Look for creative ways to spread the recovery message throughout the organisation. Ensure that all policies and procedures reflect the aims of recovery.
- Understand that recovery can only be achieved in partnership with service users. Recovery is a journey made together. Boards should look at creative and innovative ways to involve service users.
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