THE MENTAL HEALTH RECOVERY

Running head: MENTAL HEALTH RECOVERY
MENTAL HEALTH RECOVERY
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MENTAL HEALTH RECOVERY1
Introduction:
The nature of mental illness has been the theme of passionate arguments throughout
history. Roberts et al. (2018), define mental health problem issues that arise from various life
experiences and affect mood, thinking behaviours of the individuals. According to the Australian
Bureau of statistics, 1 in 5 Australians of 16-85 years’ experience at least one mental illness at
certain point in their existence (Blackdog Institute 2019). As discussed by Harvey et al. (2017),
the most frequently occurring mental illnesses in Australia include depressive, substance
use disorder and anxiety. However, it is often frequently observed that these 3 types of mental
illnesses are observed amongst individuals in combination. In this context, recovery principles
are essential principles incorporated in the treatment of mental illness to support individuals
suffering from mental illness. Hence, this paper will provide an in-depth analysis of the recovery
philosophy, societal challenges for recovery, history of mental illness and impact on the recover
along with way of mitigating the challenges.
Discussion:
History of mental illness and associated issues:
Mental illness in Australia has been a shift in the last 50 years with 20% of Australians
experiencing one or more mental health illnesses in their lifetimes. While Australian have been
noted as leaders of the mental illness policy, the rate of mental illness such as anxiety and
depression higher in Australia compared to other countries. Considering the history of the mental
illness, the concept of mental illness first emerged in 1788 (Lewis & Garton 2017). In history,
mental illness has three major explanations such as supernatural, biological and psychological
(Lewis & Garton 2017). Previously, deviant behaviours were considered as supernatural and

MENTAL HEALTH RECOVERY2
reflection of the bad between evil and good. The society perceived the individuals as an evil if
the individuals exhibit unexplainable and irrational behaviours. Consequently, the population has
developed a stigma and negative attitude towards the individuals who are exhibiting irrational
behaviours. Well known philosophers such as Plato, Aristotle shed light on the importance of
fantasies, dreams and thus advocated for the human and responsible care for individuals with
psychological disturbance (Radovic 2016). Considering the history of mental illness in Australia,
the individuals who are exhibiting unusual behaviour were placed in the deemed area and termed
as insane by locking them into the area nearby (Raeburn et al. 2018). In 1811, Australia had its
first psychiatry facilities since previously the individuals were detained and placed them with the
criminal and convicts. Consequently, these factors severely affected the recovery of individuals
with mental illness as discussed by (Joachim & Acorn 2016). Despite development of mental
illness care plan and diverse facilities, people living with mental illness will often experience
stigma as well as discrimination from close family members, friends and community since the
mind-set of thinking individuals with unusual, as evil still exist (Bharadwaj, Pai & Suziedelyte
2017). While prejudices and discrimination diminished after implementation of mental health
care plans in 1992, in the recent era, the individuals still experience stigma, social inclusion,
bully and negative stereotype.
As discussed by Stuart (2016) due to the historical background of the mental illness, the
developed stigma in the society and in the recovery-oriented treatment severely impacted the
treatment-seeking attitude of the patients. The common harmful impact of the stigma observed in
the society and during the recovery-oriented approach include reluctant to seek treatment or
intervention, lack of understanding of the situation by closed family, friends, and co-workers,
limited opportunities for work, school and social activities (Ross et al. 2016, pp: 20). Moreover,