What is Personal Recovery?
“Recovery is an ongoing process and is not an end goal. It describes a person’s journey towards independence, and embodies a belief that one has purpose and value with or without the symptoms of mental ill health. It is made possible by the support and guidance of others but ultimately it is about making educated choices as an individual about how best to manage one’s own well being and health.”
Co-produced definition by Mid West ARIES & Service Improvement
Mid West Community Healthcare – Mental Health
Personal Recovery
Personal recovery in mental health focuses on a person’s journey towards living a fulfilling and meaningful life, even in the presence of mental health challenges.
Unlike clinical recovery, which can emphasise symptom reduction, personal recovery is about regaining a positive sense of self, with or without symptoms. It is unique to the individual, involving self-discovery, developing resilience and finding ways to manage mental health challenges while pursuing personal goals and finding connections that bring joy, hope and purpose.
Deegan 1988
C.H.I.M.E.
Framework
CHIME is an important framework in mental health that describe the 5 recovery processes that support personal recovery. CHIME stands for:
CONNECTEDNESS
- Peer support and support groups
- Relationships
- Support from others
- Being part of the community
HOPE
- Hope and optimism about the future
- Belief in possibility of recovery
- Motivation to change
- Hope-inspiring relationships
- Positive thinking and valuing success
- Having dreams and aspirations
IDENTITY
- I am not my diagnosis
- Rebuilding/redefining positive sense of identity
- Overcoming stigma
MEANING
- Meaning in life
- Meaning of mental illness experiences
- Spirituality
- Quality of life
- Meaningful life and social roles
- Meaningful life and social goals
- Rebuilding life
EMPOWERMENT
- Personal responsibility
- Control over life
- Focusing upon strengths
Characteristics of
the Recovery Journey
- Recovery is an active process
- Individual and unique process
- Non-linear process
- Recovery as a journey
- Recovery as stages or phases
- Recovery as a struggle
- Multidimensional process
- Recovery is a gradual process
- Recovery as a life-changing experience
- Recovery without cure
- Recovery is aided by supportive and healing environment
- Recovery can occur without professional intervention
- Trial and error process
Discover how the CHIME Framework was developed from key research carried out by Mary Leamy and Mike Slade, 2011
