Uses and abuses of recovery: implementing recovery-oriented practices in mental health systems

An understanding of recovery as a personal and subjective experience has emerged within mental health systems. This meaning of recovery now underpins mental health policy in many countries. Developing a focus on this type of recovery will involve transformation within mental health systems. Human systems do not easily transform. In this paper, we identify seven mis-uses ("abuses") of the concept of recovery: recovery is the latest model; recovery does not apply to "my" patients; services can make people recover through effective treatment; compulsory detention and treatment aid recovery; a recovery orientation means closing services; recovery is about making people independent and normal; and contributing to…

• SL
  South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
• NI
  National Institute for Health and Care Research

  Award: RP-PG-0707-10040
• KC
  King's College London
• PG
  Programme Grants for Applied Research

  Award: RP-PG-0707-10040