While there exists no particular definition for recovery in the context of mental healthcare or mental health nursing, recovery is to be perceived as the ability to establish and live a contributing and meaningful life in the absence or presence of noted mental health concerns. The notion of recovery, in context of mental health, had been developed for the people, and by the people suffering from mental health conditions. The aim was to describe the experiences and perceptions of these individuals for affirming personal identity crossing the limitations set by the mental health diagnosis (health.gov.au 2013). In continuation, it is mentioned that recovery approach to mental health puts focus on the potential for achieving recuperation and revitalization from mental health concerns. Recovery is perceived as the process through which the personal journey of the individual is made better as indicated through a strong sense of self and a secured base. Moreover, recovery considers symptoms of mental health issues as the ‘continuum of the norm’ instead of an abnormality. Some of the noted features of recovery are that it is a personal unique journey; it is a fundamental human process; the process is non-linear; and it is an ongoing procedure.
According to Fortinash and Worret (2014) recovery oriented mental healthcare approaches ensure that a transformative conceptual framework is enabled for care delivery within the provision of health service. For ensuring the individuals are to undergo the process of recovery, the insights and lived experiences of the individuals suffering from mental health illness are to be placed at the center of the care culture. Recovery-oriented approaches delivered through the professionals are to appreciate the lived experiences that individuals have and apply their skills and knowledge for establishing close relationship with them. Further, approaches targeting recovery must break the barriers of traditional concepts and conventional demarcation existing between staff and consumers. The recovery paradigm entails that all individuals being given care are shown dignity and their privacy is respected in relation to the strengths they exhibit.
Recovery, when studies from the standpoint of an individual experiencing mental illness, means receiving and preserving hope, personal autonomy, knowledge of the disabilities and abilities, and social indentify. A person therefore develops a positive sense of self. Recovery is linked to both external conditions facilitating recovery and internal conditions that the person experiences, such a healing, hope and empowerment (Le Boutillie et al. 2015). According to Camman (2010) recovery in context of mental health care is to be referred to as the process involving personal decision making in diverse areas. It is noted that mental health nurses are in a position to provide assistance to patients for developing mental health on the basis of a thorough assessment. Individuals can be guided to engage in effective decision making in relation to integration of healthy behaviours through the utilization of motivational interviewing processes, varied assessment tools and recovery planning techniques.
Figure: The concept of recovery (health.gov.au 2013)
The Department of Health, Australian government, has outlined the principles of recovery oriented mental health practice. These principles have relevancy to the national standards and the applicability is across the comprehensive mental health service system that encompasses the non-governmental community mental health service sector. The principles of recovery-oriented practice are outlined for ensuring that service projection is in such a manner that promotes the recovery in an adequate way. The three principle tenets are uniqueness of individuals, real choices, and attitudes and rights.
As per the principle of ‘uniqueness of the individual’, recovery oriented mental health practice must recognize that the process of recovery is not all about how care is delivered. Rather, it must involve ensuring opportunities for choices given to individuals so that one can live a satisfying, purposeful and meaningful life, and develop the sense of being a valued member of the society. Further, it is to be accepted that each individual has unique recovery outcomes that goes beyond the focus given exclusively on health. Quality of life and social inclusion are also to be given attention in this regard. In addition, individuals are to be empowered to make them recognized as the center of care delivered. The principle of ‘real choices’ entails that recovery oriented mental health practice empowers and supports individuals suffering from mental health issues so that they can make their own life choices that are creative and meaningful. Practice must also support the person to build up their key strengths and abilities so that they can take up social responsibilities. The principle of ‘attitudes and rights’ mention that mental health practice must promote and protect the legal and human rights of an individual. The individuals are to eb supported for maintaining and developing recreational, social, vocational and occupational activities that bring in much meaning of lie to them. Hope is to be instilled in the mind of the individual regarding the chances of leading a meaningful life in the future (health.gov.au 2010).
Recovery oriented mental health services, in general, or as applied to mental health nursing focuses on delivery of evidence-based therapy, treatment, psychosocial and rehabilitation support aiming to achieve the required outcomes for individual in relation to physical and mental wellbeing. Recovery is achieved for people with mental health illness when services are considerate of the needs of the people and their aspirations. Further, recovery is successful when people are provided with a safe and secured environment. In mental health nursing, recovery is a commitment and visions that professional from all levels of the organization share. The vision must be sustained through resources and diverse workforce including people with greater expertise and skills (Gunasekara et al. 2014). Services targeting recovery considers the fact that individuals who suffer from unresolved and distinct trauma struggle are provided with a safe environment. Professionals are to acknowledge the main principles of stress and trauma such as choice, safety, empowerment and trustworthiness. In addition, services are to acknowledge and respond to the varying needs put forward by individuals of different beliefs, culture and values. Systems perspectives of identity are crucial for ensuring recovery in individuals. By advocating for the human rights and social inclusion, individuals with mental health issues are guided towards recovery. Services that challenge the prevailing stigmatizing attitudes also foster recovery (Townsend and Morgan 2017).
Fortinas and Worret (2014) opined that mental health nurses can ensure that patients recover from the their present situation by helping the individuals recognize the needful combination of treatments, services and supports for removing barriers and challenges to participation in community life. Encouragement for taking part in education and work underpins the process through which a mental health nurse achieves recovery for the person cared for. In this regard Parker et al. (2017) mentioned that mental health nurses promote collaborative relationships with clients for fostering a healthy and collaborative relationship. Such a relationship is also elementary for understanding the opportunities, and wishes of the individuals. While delivering care, mental health nurses provide an appropriate response to the concerns, needs, preferences, strengths and values of the clients.
From the paper of Kidd, Kenny and McKinstry (2015) it is understood that mental health nurses caring for individuals with mental health issues are to aim at achieving recovery while responding to the activities and things people perceive to be as significant in their lives. Further, nurses are to promote effective decision making as per the needs and values of the individuals. Demonstrating resourcefulness and empathy also go a long way in establishing an effective therapeutic communication between the care provider and the patient that is crucial for recovery of the person. In this regard it is to be mentioned that using the support networks patients have, service providers can integrate maximal care provision. Mental health nurses and other professionals are entailed to use intervention promoting the self-esteem, wellness and personal agency of the individuals.
A person centered approach also goes a long way in promoting hopefulness and instilling a sense of hope in the individual, two most important elements of recovery. For example, when a nurse acknowledges the sexuality, gender, culture and ethnicity of the person, a strong therapeutic relationship is build that is supportive of recovery. A therapeutic relationship between the patient and the professional is to be perceived as the helping relationship that is based primarily on respect and mutual trust. Such a relationship nurtures hope and faith while being sensitive to the requirements of the patient. Assistance provided with gratification to the spiritual, emotional and physical needs through skills is crucial. The caring relationship is effective when both the patient and the professional give their best efforts, leading to healing and remedy. Further, effective forms of communication are needed as a component of care delivered with the prime motto of recovery. These are both verbal and non verbal modes of communication. On the whole, recovery is applied in mental healthcare context when the service delivery embraces the possibility of wellbeing indicated by the capacity and strength of those experiencing mental health issues (Pullen and Mathias 2014).
References
Camann, M.A., 2010. The psychiatric nurse’s role in application of recovery and decision-making models to integrate health behaviors in the recovery process. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 31(8), pp.532-536.
Fortinash, K.M. and Worret, P.A.H., 2014. Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing-E-Book. Elsevier Health Sciences.
Gunasekara, I., Pentland, T., Rodgers, T. and Patterson, S., 2014. What makes an excellent mental health nurse? A pragmatic inquiry initiated and conducted by people with lived experience of service use. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 23(2), pp.101-109.
Health.gov.au. 2018. A national framework for recovery-oriented mental health services. [online] Available at: https://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/content/67D17065514CF8E8CA257C1D00017A90/$File/recovgde.pdf [Accessed 29 Aug. 2018].
Health.gov.au. 2018. Principles of recovery oriented mental health practice. [online] Available at: https://www.health.gov.au/internet/publications/publishing.nsf/Content/mental-pubs-i-nongov-toc~mental-pubs-i-nongov-pri [Accessed 29 Aug. 2018].
Kidd, S., Kenny, A. and McKinstry, C., 2015. The meaning of recovery in a regional mental health service: an action research study. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 71(1), pp.181-192.
Le Boutillier, C., Chevalier, A., Lawrence, V., Leamy, M., Bird, V.J., Macpherson, R., Williams, J. and Slade, M., 2015. Staff understanding of recovery-orientated mental health practice: a systematic review and narrative synthesis. Implementation Science, 10(1), p.87.
Parker, S., Dark, F., Newman, E., Korman, N., Rasmussen, Z. and Meurk, C., 2017. Reality of working in a community?based, recovery?oriented mental health rehabilitation unit: A pragmatic grounded theory analysis. International journal of mental health nursing, 26(4), pp.355-365.
Pullen Jr, R.L. and Mathias, T., 2010. Fostering therapeutic nurse-patient relationships. Nursing made easy, 3(4), p.4.
Essay Writing Service Features
Our Experience
No matter how complex your assignment is, we can find the right professional for your specific task. Contact Essay is an essay writing company that hires only the smartest minds to help you with your projects. Our expertise allows us to provide students with high-quality academic writing, editing & proofreading services.
Free Features
Free revision policy
$10Free bibliography & reference
$8Free title page
$8Free formatting
$8How Our Essay Writing Service Works
First, you will need to complete an order form. It's not difficult but, in case there is anything you find not to be clear, you may always call us so that we can guide you through it. On the order form, you will need to include some basic information concerning your order: subject, topic, number of pages, etc. We also encourage our clients to upload any relevant information or sources that will help.
Complete the order form
Once we have all the information and instructions that we need, we select the most suitable writer for your assignment. While everything seems to be clear, the writer, who has complete knowledge of the subject, may need clarification from you. It is at that point that you would receive a call or email from us.
Writer’s assignment
As soon as the writer has finished, it will be delivered both to the website and to your email address so that you will not miss it. If your deadline is close at hand, we will place a call to you to make sure that you receive the paper on time.
Completing the order and download