Psycho-Social Recovery
The beginnings of Psycho-Social Recovery began in the early 1990 when evidence showed that having a mental health diagnosis and being contained in a hospital environment was not as successful as allowing people to live in their own communities as soon as possible. This was termed de-institutionalisation and made a lot of sense both clinically and financially*. With advances in medications and community-based supports; being at home, where someone can stay connected with-in their own social networks, reduced the incidents of people becoming unwell and possibly ‘Institutionalised’.
“The recovery model is a form of social model of disability by contrast to a medical model of disability and may involve “consumers” and “survivors” of mental health service as well as mental health professionals.”
Medication is a very important aspect to Psycho-social recovery but it is just as important to understand our need for feeling like we Belong, that we have a Voice and are Heard. We are all part of a social network and all of us can have a role to play in the society we choose to be a part of.
The 6 points noted below by the Australian Government outlines the focus of psycho-social recovery; i.e. people being allowed to be themselves, having opportunities for being involved in our society and having respect for themselves and for others. We are after-all a diverse population with differing skills, interests and capabilities, and Umbrella Connections believe each of us wishes to be a part of something. Interesting to note that this is not just a ‘program’ for people with mental health diagnosis but relevant to all of us.
- Uniqueness of the individual
- Real choices
- Attitudes and Rights
- Dignity and Respect
- Partnership and Communication
- Evaluating Recovery
Being accepted and accepting others in all their shapes, sizes, beliefs, and interests; developing your own Sense of Self together with being and accepting others, will assist all of us along that road to Recovery. Being connected to a psycho-social service like Umbrella Connections can provide essential pathways to other social areas that a person can often have difficulty accessing. It also reduces isolation and dislocation from our world which we feel no-one should need to experience.