Exploring Recovery Principles Through the SunnyBoys Documentary

This essay analyzes the SunnyBoys documentary, focusing on the application of the National Recovery Framework and Principles in the context of Jeremy Oxley's experience with schizophrenia. The essay explores key principles such as the uniqueness of the individual, self-determination, attitudes and rights, dignity and respect, partnership and communication, and recovery evaluation. It highlights how Mary Griffiths, a nursing professional, supported Jeremy's recovery through social support, medication, and by challenging stigma and discrimination. The essay examines how Jeremy's lived experience illustrates the importance of hope, autonomy, and social inclusion in the recovery process, emphasizing that recovery is about building a meaningful life and contributing to the community, not just about a cure. The essay uses the documentary to illustrate the role of informed risk-taking, the promotion of human rights, and the value of patient-provider partnerships in mental health treatment.

Running head: RECOVERY PRINCIPLES: SUNNYBOYS DOCUMENTARY 1
Recovery Principles: SunnyBoys Documentary
Student’s Name
University Affiliation

RECOVERY PRINCIPLES: SUNNYBOYS DOCUMENTARY 2
Recovery Principles: SunnyBoys Documentary
Introduction
Schizophrenia is a disabling mental condition that affects a person’s thinking process and
capabilities and behaviour. The clinical manifestations of schizophrenia are poor memory and
difficulties in being attentive (Marder & Galderisi, 2017). The goals of managing schizophrenia
are targeting the symptoms, improving adaptive functioning and preventing relapse (Patel,
Cherian, Gohil, & Atkinson, 2014). This assignment will incorporate the National Recovery
Framework and Principles to explore the lived experience of mental health predicaments of
Jeremy Oxley as depicted in the SunnyBoy documentary. Jeremy was diagnosed with
schizophrenia at the peak of his music career and left the band. He became stigmatised, isolated
and alcoholic for about 30 years. Fortunately, Jeremy met Griffiths Mary, a nursing professional,
who helped change his circumstance through social support and medication (ABC, 2016).
Firstly, this assignment will discuss the principle of the uniqueness of the individual. Secondly, it
will explore the theme of real choices, self-determination and autonomy. Thirdly, it will discuss
the principle of attitudes and rights. Fourthly, the paper will explore how the principle of dignity
and respect is manifested in the SunnyBoy documentary. Fifthly, the easy will discuss the
principle of partnership and communication. Finally, it will delineate the principle of recovery
evaluation, feedback and reflection.
The lived experience of mental health problems of Jeremy Oxley
The lived experience of Jeremy Oxley buttresses the concept that recovery is not
necessarily about the cure but having the ability to develop and live a meaningful life and
contribute to the community. As narrated in the SunnyBoy documentary, Jeremy experienced

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stigma and isolation for many before he met Mary (ABC, 2016). Mary initiated Jeremy’s
recovery by upholding the principle of the uniqueness of the individual. Based on this principle,
recovery entails being a valued member of the community, personal empowerment and emphasis
on the quality of life. Also, this principle notes that the recovery outcome is personal and unique
for each person (Department of Health, 2010). These factors cause patients with schizophrenia to
undergo the process of acceptance. In the process of acceptance, individuals assert that recovery
from schizophrenia is an ongoing process due to its long-term nature, which can be described as
coping. Coping involves regaining a sense of self when a person has control over their symptoms
(Eklund, Hermansson, & Håkansson, 2012). Reengagement follows this process. One study
notes that patients who have been diagnosed with schizophrenia show signs of reengagement,
mainly involving social interaction and setting goals like have a job and living independently
(Phillips, 2008). In the SunnyBoy documentary, Mary helped Jeremy to regain self-control as
well as in the process of reengagement. She was determined to link Jeremy to the other band
members and his brother Peter. As such, social inclusion was an important principle in Jeremy’s
recovery process.
In the process of recovery, a patient should be allowed the opportunity to make decisions
on issues that are fundamental to their lives. Throughout the recovery process, the patient should
be supported to make real choices about how they want to lead their lives. This principle is
portrayed in the lived experience of Jeremy because Mary promoted autonomy and self-
determination (Department of Health, 2010). According to the documentary, Jeremy continued to
write and play music even though he had been separated from the other members of the
SunnyBoy band. In fact, Jeremy did not drop his passion for music for the 30 years he had
schizophrenia. Due to this aspect, Mary supported him to make creative and meaningful decision

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of reviving the music career (ABC, 2016). Mary’s approach and decisions show that recovery-
oriented mental health practice supports an individual to build on their strengths and take
responsibility for their lives. Additionally, it shows a balance between the duty of care and
support for a person to take positive risks. There is further an aspect of informed risk-taking
within a safe and supportive environment (Barnicot, Insua-Summerhayes, Plummer, Hart,
Barker, & Priebe, 2017). Through Mary’s support, Jeremy started to take responsibility for his
life and regain focus. He took the risk to meet fellow band members and organise a gig and thus
exhibiting the holistic nature of a person. Conclusively, Jeremy recovery can be associated with
the support and empowerment to make creative decisions.
The SunnyBoy documentary propagates the theme of attitudes and rights in recovery-
oriented mental practice. Based on this theme, mental health practice should promote
individual’s legal, human and citizenship rights (Poreddi, Reddemma, & Math, 2013). Besides,
the theme insists on the importance of instilling hope in individuals about the future. Mary
observed this principle by instilling hope in Jeremy. When Mary met Jeremy, he had lost hope
about the future. Mary explained to Jeremy that he could still achieve the dream to spreading
music around the world and have a meaningful life. Hope is an important element in managing
individuals diagnosed with mental health illnesses (Davidson, Bellamy, Guy, & Miller, 2012).
Through hope, Jeremy was empowered and become hopeful that in future he could play music
on an international stage. Apart from hope, the recovery process should value and uphold the
rights of a patient. The recovery of Jeremy shows the importance of promoting human, civil and
legal rights. The Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights preserves the right to access high-
quality and safe healthcare (Department of Health & Human Services, 2017). As narrated in the
documentary, Mary took Jeremy to a doctor who designed a treatment plan. Medication was

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helpful for Jeremy in managing the symptoms of schizophrenia. Adherence to medication for
patients diagnosed with schizophrenia might have positive effect on the patient (Higashi, Medic,
Littlewood, Diez, Granström, & De Hert, 2013). Evidently, the SunnyBoy documentary shows
how hope and respect for individual rights help in the recovery of persons diagnosed with mental
illnesses mainly schizophrenia.
Dignity and respect have also been manifested in the SunnyBoy documentary. The
dignity of each person in the community can be achieved when all people, even the marginalised,
are treated and addressed as equals (Saxena & Hanna, 2015). This principle encourages honest,
courteous and respectful interactions. In addition, the principle advocates for the respect of each
person, mainly for their beliefs, culture and values. Mary exhibited unwavering respect for
Jeremy despite his mental condition. Also, she did not doubt the belief and values of Jeremy,
specifically about being a musician. Responsiveness to diversity, where mental care entails
delivering personalised care that is responsive to each person’s values and circumstances, is
important. The kind of care offered to Jeremy was responsive to his circumstances, values and
beliefs. Further, the domain of respect and dignity discourages discrimination within the service
and the broader community (Department of Health, 2010). When Jeremy was diagnosed with
schizophrenia at the early age of his music career, he experienced self-denial and later
discrimination from his fellow band members and family members. However, Mary challenged
discrimination and drew Jeremy closer. According to Mary, Jeremy was a lovely person who was
unmedicated and misunderstood. She notes that falling in love with Jeremy was normal and
natural. Social relationships have been found to have beneficial impacts on health outcomes
(PLoS Medicine Editors, 2010). Indeed, the relationship between Jeremy and Mary was

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important in the process of recovery. Their story shows how discrimination can be challenged to
initiate and enhance recovery for persons diagnosed with schizophrenia.
According to the National Recovery Framework and Principles, partnership and
communication are an important theme in the recovery process. This domain encourages
providers to work in collaboration with individuals to offer support in a manner that makes sense
to them (Department of Health, 2010). The story of Jeremy and Mary is a clear example of the
application of partnership and communication to promote recovery. Mary provided emotional,
social and material support to Jeremy to aid the recovery from schizophrenia. Positive
relationships enable patients with mental illness to cope with their condition and make progress
in recovery (Evenson, Rhodes, Feigenbaum, & Solly, 2008). Friends are very important because
they offer the much-needed support in the recovery process. In the SunnyBoy documentary,
Mary even agreed to stay in one house with Jeremy, which offered a suitable social environment
for recovery. When the couple started living together, they started to communicate intensely
sharing their experiences and aspirations (Oxley, Mary, & Oxley, 2013). This aspect shows that
patient-provider partnership and communication is fundamental in promoting recovery-oriented
mental health practice.
Finally, the national recovery principles emphasise on recovery evaluation, and reflection
and learning. The mental health professional should get feedback from the persons accessing the
service to evaluate the ongoing service improvement. On the other hand, individuals can track
their own progress. Various outcomes can be used as indicators for recovery including
employment, social and family relationships, employment, housing, health and well-being
(Department of Health, 2010). Based on the SunnyBoy documentary, the indicators for Jeremy’s
recovery are his social and family relationships, the revival of his music career and the ability to

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take personal responsibility. The SunnyBoy documentary delineates that recovery from mental
illnesses is patient-centred and physician-patient relationship is essential for positive outcomes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the SunnyBoy documentary presents a real example of schizophrenia
prognosis and the application of both pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions to
manage the illness. The non-pharmacological interventions that were applied for Jeremy
manifest the observation of the National Recovery Framework and Principles. The documentary
explains how the theme of hope, self-autonomy, collaboration and partnership, focus on an
individual’s strength and social support can help to improve outcomes for people diagnosed with
schizophrenia. Jeremy recovered from schizophrenia because Mary challenged discrimination,
instilled hope and supported him to make meaningful decisions. Evidently, recovery is not
synonymous to cure but entails creating and living a meaningful life.

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References
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