CNA256 Assignment: Recovery Principles in Mental Health Care Essay

This essay delves into the significance of recovery principles in the provision of care for individuals grappling with mental health problems. It begins by establishing a historical context, tracing the evolution of perspectives on mental illness and their societal impacts, from ancient practices to the emergence of mental hygiene movements. The essay then transitions to the core focus: the recovery approach. It elucidates the principles underpinning this approach, such as individual uniqueness, real choices, dignity, and partnership. The essay contrasts this with the medical model, emphasizing patient-centered care and the importance of holistic well-being. Furthermore, it discusses the stages of recovery and the benefits of this approach. However, the essay also addresses barriers to recovery, including stigma, discrimination, and lack of social confidence. It concludes by underscoring the importance of building resilience and promoting self-governance in the lives of individuals facing mental health challenges, emphasizing the need for a supportive network to facilitate meaningful and fulfilling lives.

Running head: ESSAY
Assessment 2: Written Assignment
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1ESSAY
Introduction- Mental health is an umbrella term that refers to the state of
psychological wellness, which is marked by the nonexistence of mental disorder. It refers to
the state when a person functions at a tolerable and satisfactory level of behavioural and
emotional adjustment (Pilgrim 2019). Taking into consideration the perspectives of holism
and/or positive psychology, sound mental health often encompasses the capability of an
individual to enjoy life to the fullest, while maintaining a balance between psychological
resilience and life activities. According to the World Health Organisation (2018) mental
health comprises of the personal wellbeing, autonomy, inter-generational dependence,
apparent self-efficacy, proficiency, and self-actualisation of the emotional and intellectual
potential of a person. It also states that an individual’s wellbeing is associated with the
realisation of competence and ability to cope with life stressors, together with contributing
positively to productive work and the community as a whole. It is imperative to identify the
recovery from mental illness does not refer to cure from the disease. This essay will elucidate
the prominence of recovery principles, in relation to people suffering from mental illness.
Historical background- Deviant behaviour has been considered unnatural, and a direct
replication of the war between evil and good since time immemorial. In ancient
Mesopotamia, mental disorders were considered the action of particular deities (Annus 2019).
Likewise, mental illnesses in China were treated using emotional therapy and traditional
Chinese medicine. During the middle age, concepts of mental disorder in Europe were based
on an amalgamation of magical, transcendental, diabolical, and divine powers. These were
treated with bloodletting, whipping, and purges. Later on during the 16th-18th century, jails,
local workhouses, and poorhouses were established for the people who were considered
insane. According to Groenow (2018) the term ‘mental hygiene’ was coined by William
Sweetser, at the middle of the 19th century. This was followed by a definition of mental
hygiene put forth by Isaac Ray. He defined it as the art of protecting the mind against

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different influences and incidents, considered to decline its qualities, disrupt its movements,
and damage its energies. Moreover, Dorothea Dix played an important role in providing
assistance to people suffering from mental illnesses and also took efforts to unravel the sub-
standard environment to which these people were subjected to (Farreras 2019). Prior to this
mental hygiene movement, people with poor mental health were neglected and isolated from
others, typically left with inadequate clothing in appalling settings. This was followed by
formulation of a taxonomy for a range of mental disorders by Emil Kraepelin (Steinberg and
Strauß 2019). Soon after, the anticipated disease model related to abnormality was exposed to
examination and measured normality to be comparative to the geographical, physical, and
cultural features of the target group.
Impacts- Poor mental health was considered as a moral issue during older times,
hence the treatment predominantly focused on punishment for the sin committed by the
affected person. When people were put in poorhouses or local workhouses, they were
subjected to forcible confinement or restraint. Restraint resulted in muscle weakness, heart
stress, poor circulation, strangulation, social isolation, and behavioural modifications (Rose
et al. 2017). It was perceived as traumatising and anti-recovery. According to Winn (2016)
trephination was one of the earliest kinds of treatment that encompasses making a hole in the
skull of the person using bore, auger or a saw. This was dehumanising and life threatening
since it had the potential of causing death or permanent injury to the brain tissue. People were
also subjected to exorcism and mystic rituals due to lack of understanding about mental
illness. This religious practice of eliminating spiritual entities and/or demons directly
impaired recovery since it caused serious harm to the affected people (Loue 2017).
Recovery approach- Considering the perspective of people suffering from mental
disorders, recovery suggests obtaining and retaining hope and optimism, social inclusion
gaining a sound awareness of ones disabilities and competence, engaging in an active life,

3ESSAY
social identity, personal autonomy, and living a purposeful life (Stanton and Tooth 2005). In
other words, recovery encompasses both the external conditions that stimulate recuperation
like protecting human rights and developing a positive healing culture, and internal factors
like empowerment, connection, remedy, and optimism. There are six principles of recovery
namely, (i) uniqueness of individual, (ii) real choices, (iii) dignity and respect, (iv) attitude
and rights, (v) partnership and communication, and (vi) evaluating recovery (Department of
Health 2010). The recovery approach is a person-centred and holistic model to mental health
care that has gained attention in recent years. The approach is reliant on two aspects that are:
(a) it is conceivable to recuperate from a mental disorder, and (b) the most operative recovery
is patient-centred. The hallmark aspect is the confidence that individuals can recover from
mental disorder to lead completely satisfying lives. The approach provides a holistic
description of the life of the affected person. It emphasises on the fact that with the aim of
recovering from mental disorder, individuals must make decisions that support their mental
and physical wellbeing (Oades, Deane and Crowe 2017).
Moreover, there is a need to provide a supportive and safe environment, in addition to
fostering supportive social relationships. This in turn will offer people with emotional
availability, love, and respect that is required for survival. The approach elaborates on the
fact that when people have supportive relationships that offer unconditional love, they are
better able to cope with the symptoms of their illness and work toward recovery. This
recovery approach is generally contrasted with the medical model of illness that postulates
that mental illnesses are triggered by psychological causes, therefore places an emphasis on
usage of medications (Rosellini et al. 2018). The recovery approach ensures that people with
poor mental health must be directly involved in the treatment process. Five stages that
stimulate recovery are acceptance, consideration, exploration, rehabilitation, and
maintenance. The affected people must first acknowledge the illness and the need for

4ESSAY
assistance. This is followed by increasing knowledge about the disorder and impact it has
created on the lives (Slade, Oades and Jarden 2017). The people are then supported while
exploring range of treatment options and are also provided opportunities for rehabilitation.
The approach also emphasises on making the people having mental illness realise that
the importance of continual reinforcement and lifetime commitment. The strength of this
recovery approach is that it places due emphasis on individual abilities and strengths, rather
than pathologies and deficits. It places trust in the affected person and allows them adorn an
active role in care planning. It highlights the need of supporting individuals to develop and
maintain recreational, social, and occupational activities (Hales 2019). Not only does it focus
on demonstrating respect and sensitivity towards the beliefs and culture of the person, but
also acknowledges the role of working in partnership with others. The first step towards
mental health recovery comprises of taking the decision for bringing about an improvement
in life (Mascayano and Montenegro 2017). Having mental disorders affects intimate
relationships, threatens financial security and worsens normal activities.
Issues relating to mental health recovery- While the principles of recovery help
people diagnosed with mental disorder lead a meaningful life, there are several factors that
act as impediment to recuperation. Stigma and discrimination existing the society is one such
barrier to mental health recovery. The society in general holds the belief that mentally ill
individuals are dangerous and violent, thus are perceived to be at a risk of harming
themselves or others (Frost et al. 2017). Since the society disapproves individuals with
psychiatric incapacities, they affected people are generally subjected to avoidance,
withholding help, segregated treatment, and coercive treatment. Not only does it lead to lack
of control and damage social association with others, the existing discrimination in the
society often limits proper access of the people to housing and educational attainment

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(Hancock et al. 2018). This stigma results in marginalising of the target population, thereby
preventing the people with poor mental health coming forward and seeking assistance.
It inhibits people from obtaining employment, thus preventing them from playing an
active role (Mousteri et al. 2019). Apart from the individual impact, the aforementioned
issues also affect the state and the nation financially. When individuals with poor mental
health are too worried or ashamed to discuss about their issues, it leads to a higher cost to
healthcare facilities. Lack of social confidence is another barrier to recovery. This often
makes the people believe that they will not be able to recuperate from their illness, and also
prevents them from coping with the stressful situations. The core negative beliefs leads to
anxiety and further aggravate their condition (Collett et al. 2016). Moreover, people are
continuously affected by the fear and apprehension concerning relapse of the mental illness.
Conclusion- To conclude, while there is no commonly accepted description of
recovery, one explanation, often denoted as the “recovery model” contends for the
significance of constructing the resilience of individuals with mental health complications
and supporting their individuality and self-confidence. It is a strength-based method that does
not emphasise exclusively on signs and symptoms, rather highlights resilience and
governance over life’s encounters. This approach intends to aid people with mental disorder
come forward, set novel objectives, and engage in activities and associations that are
significant. Application of recovery‐oriented treatment generally involves person‐centred
approach and acknowledges that recuperation in not essentially about cure from the illness. In
other words, recovery from mental illness gains assistances from the well-ordered structure of
support, which encompasses the persons themselves, friends, family, health services,
healthcare professionals, and the wider community. Hence, the main focus of this approach is
on assisting persons to live significant, satisfying, and determined lives.

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References
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