Analysis of Consumer Involvement in Mental Health Recovery Paradigm

This report examines the recovery paradigm in mental health services, emphasizing the significance of consumer involvement in the recovery process. It delves into the core principles of the recovery paradigm, including the uniqueness of the individual, attitudes and rights, and partnership and communication. The report highlights how consumer involvement empowers individuals, fosters positive attitudes towards treatment, and promotes effective communication between patients and healthcare providers. It underscores the importance of considering each patient's unique challenges and experiences, ensuring that mental health services are tailored to meet individual needs. Furthermore, the report explores how consumer involvement helps safeguard patient rights and encourages active participation in recreational and vocational activities, ultimately contributing to comprehensive recovery. The analysis draws upon several scholarly sources to support its claims, providing a thorough understanding of the recovery paradigm and the benefits of consumer engagement in mental healthcare.

Running Head: RECOVERY PARADIGM 1
RECOVERY PARADIGM
Institutional Affiliation
Name

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Introduction
The principles of recovery paradigm refer to the set of rules and guidelines that apply to
mental health services for both government and non-governmental mental health service sector.
The principles guide the mental health service providers in helping the mental health patients to
recover from the illness (Andrews, Henderson & Hall, 2011). In this case, recovery means
gaining and retaining hope as well as engaging actively in life and understanding one`s
capabilities and weaknesses. It also involves gaining personal autonomy, social identity as well
as meaning in life. The following are the six principles of recovery paradigm; Uniqueness of the
individual, Real choices, attitudes and rights, dignity and respect, partnership and
communication as well as evaluating recover. The report analyzes the importance of consumer
involvement in mental health recovery and how it enhances consumer recovery. The three
principles discussed in this report include;partnership and communication,attitudes and rights as
well as the uniqueness of the individual (Burgess, Pirkis, Slade, Johnston, Meadows & Gunn,
2009).
It is very important that consumers get involved in making decisions concerning their
health care. The principle of the uniqueness of an individual explains that recovery is not all
about a cure. It is about having an opportunity to make important choices in life. It also involves
living a meaningful life and fulfilling personal desires and ambitions without being distracted by
mental illnesses. Recovery is definedas an individual level of a patient. The level of recovery of a
patient is unique since different patients face different challenges when they have mental health
issues (Caldwell, Jorm & Dear, 2014). Due to this reason, the consumer's voice is important in
determining recovery since they understand better how they feel. They can explain the level of
progress they have made in their recovery.According to Pilgrim& McCranie, (2013)a patient
with mental health issues can explain their thoughts and feelings to the clinician, and this can
help in administering psychological therapy that is unique to the needs of the patient. A patient
suffering from mental illness due to family issues will get personalized care to understand the
cause of the problem and find a solution to it.Consumer involvement empowers an individual to

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put some effort towards recovery since they are at the center of the care and treatment they are
receiving (Killackey & Waghorn, 2008).
Attitudes refer to a settled way of thinking or feeling towards something. An attitude
develops as a result of first-time impression or interaction over a considerable period. In mental
health practice that is recovery oriented, attitudes and rights of the patient are very important in
helping the patient to recover since it helps the patient to corporate with the carer and follow the
recovery plan to the letter.The principles explain that attitudes and rights involve listening,
learning and acting upon communication from the individual patient (McGorry, Purcell, Hickie
& Jorm,2007).Through this, the individual patient develops a positive attitude towards the
activities and medication that is administered to assist in their recovery. It is very crucial that the
patient cooperates with the clinicians and other people offering health care services for them to
recover quickly(Rickwood,Deanev & Wilson, 2007). In addition to this, it promotes and protects
the rights of an individual citizen as well as other basic human rights. Consumer involvement in
mental health recovery helps the individual patient to be socially active and get involved in
recreational and vocational activities which are very crucial for full recovery.According to
Killackey & Waghorn, (2008)when a patient has a positive attitude towards treatment, they are
more likely to be more talkative and engage in fruitful discussions with their counterparts. The
patients will also get involved in sporting activities such as playing football and swimming.
Partnership and communication principle recognizes that every individual understands
themselves best. Therefore, mental recovery involves working in close partnership with the
patient and the people close to them. Isolating the patient makes it difficult for the patient to
achieve full recovery. Good communication between the patient and his caregiver helps in
sharing relevant information which is crucial in the treatment of the patient. The clinician can be
able to communicate to the patient the things they need to do to speed up their recovery
(Rickwood, Deane & Wilson,2007).The partnership between the patient and the people taking
care of the patient helps in assessing the progress of the patient towards recovery. It also helps
the clinicians to prepare a recovery plan in partnership with the patient. Due to this,
implementation of the plan becomes easy. For example, a patient can be able to explain to the
clinician personal matters that could be hampering his movement towards recovery. A patient
with mental health can relate to the patient freely and help improve the social life and hence

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boost the self-esteem of the patient. According toWeinstein, (2010) partnership and
communication in mental recovery helps a patient to get moral and financial support from his
close relatives and friends.
Conclusion
Consumer involvement in mental health care is very crucial in the recovery of the patient.
When patients are involved in mental recovery, they can foster good partnership and
communication between the patient and the caregiver. It is helpful to the clinician because it
makes their work easier since communication is a very important aspect of treating mental
illness. Attitudes and rights of the patient play an important role in recovery. The rights of an
individual to get quality health care and other rights that are related to mental health services are
protected when the consumer is involved in their recovery. Effective communication and
partnership between the patient and the clinician ensures that the carer understands the needs of
the patient. Every individual is unique in their own way. It is therefore beneficial to both the
patient and the carer because the carer is able to offer services that are tailor made to the needs of
the client.

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References
Andrews, G., Henderson, S., & Hall, W. (2011). Prevalence, comorbidity, disability and service
utilization: an overview of the Australian National Mental Health Survey. The British Journal of
Psychiatry, 178(2), 145-153.
Burgess, P. M., Pirkis, J. E., Slade, T. N., Johnston, A. K., Meadows, G. N., & Gunn, J. M. (2009).
Service use for mental health problems: findings from the 2007 National Survey of Mental
Health and Wellbeing. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 43(7), 615-623.
Caldwell, T. M., Jorm, A. F., & Dear, K. B. (2014). Suicide and mental health in rural, remote and
metropolitan areas in Australia. Medical Journal of Australia, 181(7), S10.
Killackey, E., & Waghorn, G. (2008). The challenge of integrating employment services with public
mental health services in Australia: progress at the first demonstration site. Psychiatric
Rehabilitation Journal, 32(1), 63.
McGorry, P. D., Purcell, R., Hickie, I. B., & Jorm, A. F. (2007). Investing in youth mental health is a
best buy. Medical Journal of Australia, 187(7), S5.
Pilgrim, D., & McCranie, A. (2013). Recovery and mental health: A critical sociological account.
Rickwood, D. J., Deane, F. P., & Wilson, C. J. (2007). When and how do young people seek
professional help for mental health problems?. Medical Journal of Australia, 187(7), S35.
Weinstein, J. (2010). Mental health, service user involvement and recovery. London: Jessica Kingsley
Publishers.