A bit about the Recovery Approach, adopted by NZ policy

In my previous post I promised I would talk a bit about the recovery approach.

I guess in order to make my point about why peer led services are consistent with recovery principles, I'll need to define recovery. Defining recovery is a tough one, if you read the literature you will not find a single consistent definition. However, it's usually described as a complex, non-linear journey or process that involves the following aspects:

1) Hope for the future 

2) Healing of self-identity 

3) Empowerment 

4) Re-connection with the larger community 

5) Rediscovery of meaning 

6) Regardless of symptoms experienced 

(Deegan, 1988; Jacobson & Greenley, 2001; O’Hagan, 2001) 

I think that entering into a perspective that values one's past experiences as a service user, and recognising how that can help someone else, is really important for recovery. Attending and receiving training in order to best perform that role, well as an OT I think that's a fantastic way to gain some skills which augment your past experiences in order to regain a sense of productivity and contribution to society. I just imagine if I were a service user and I had been plagued by depression and I've been disconnected and isolated (as many are), well getting back into work would be a great way to rebuild  my confidence, my sense of self-efficacy and I'll be able to contribute. It's also reaching out and connecting with others. 

Like my previous post pointed out, the service users who access peer services will benefit but it's also an act of empowerment for the person who's recovered and wants to give back. The best part is (see bold point #6 above) this is all regardless of symptoms. So to be recovered, you don't have to be entirely perfect and back to fantastic all the time. It's okay to still be on your journey even as you help others. It's about starting the journey, I reckon, taking a step to recover some hope and reclaim aspects of your identity. That's the part I really like. Of course this all resonates with the OT in me, as it's occupational justice being served, and it's increasing occupational participation. It's about empowerment, it's about (re)gaining a voice as service users, it's about reducing some of the stigma and disadvantage of being a mental health service user by showing that hey I HAVE got something to offer. That is incredible, and I'm so glad it's finally, finally happening.

References

Deegan, P. E. (1988). Recovery: The lived experience of rehabilitation [Electronic version]. Psychosocial Rehabilitation Journal, 11(4), 11-19. Retrieved from http://myweb.polyu.edu.hk/~ssmliang/web%20info/newlifereocovery/Deegan%201994(1988).pdf


Jacobson, N. & Greenley, D. (2001). What is recovery? A conceptual model and explication [Electronic version]. Psychiatric Services, 52, 482-485. Retrieved from http://www.psychservices.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/52/4/482


O’Hagan, M. (2001). Recovery competencies for New Zealand mental health workers [Electronic version]. Wellington:  Mental Health Commission. Retrieved from http://www.mhc.govt.nz/Resources/Publications/Workforce

What services are out there?

A search on what peer led services are out there in New Zealand at the moment brings up all kinds of links. There are big community organisations/NGOs (such as Pathways, Richmond New Zealand) that provide peer services as part of their larger package of care and there are smaller groups throughout the country with various target groups.
I was quite interested to find out however that there is a national network called Balance NZ that is a consumer run initiative that works as an umbrella organisation to regional peer led networks and targets people living with mood disorders. Balance NZ is a very new initiative, which sprung out of recommendations made following a peer support forum in 2009. I think that's awesome! It's really exciting to see that the peer led service movement is really taking off in New Zealand and as peer-run services really sits well with the Recovery Approach that government policy is pushing, I think the sector is well-poised to really develop and grow and spread far and wide! :) You can see a list of all regional services here.
In my next post I will talk about "recovery" and try and explain why I think peer led services sit well with this approach to service delivery (which we in NZ are adopting)... Stay tuned!
Meanwhile I've put in a link to more information about the peer support forum from the Te Pou website and also, there are videos of peer supporters talking about their stories as well, I can't embed them but here is the link.

A bit of history

Gawith and Abrams (2006) wrote a great article tracing the journey of mental health services in NZ. Consumer advocacy and consumer-led services have their roots in the 1980s and a series of inquiries (eg Cartwright Report of 1988 and Mason Reports in the 1990s) brought to attention the dire state of patient rights and questioned the total authority traditionally associated with the medical profession. The Mental Health Commission was set up to do something about this and services have been, well, recovering from the past ever since. I would really recommend this article for anyone interested in a well-written overview of the evolution of services in NZ from the historical psychiatry-led biomedical focus to today's recovery and consumer rights focus. I found it really helped my understanding to step back and look at the bigger picture, politically, socially, all the events that propelled and impacted the development of services (including peer-led services) along the way.
Reference
Gawith, L. & Abrams, P. (2006). Long journey to recovery for Kiwi consumers: Recent developments in mental health policy and practice in New Zealand [Electronic version]. Australian Psychologist, 41(2), 140-48.