Recovery

We know that with the right support people can and do recover from even the most serious and long-term mental health problems. For some people the recovery process can be long, slow and at times difficult but the reality is it can happen. The unique nature of the recovery process can make it hard to define but certain things come up frequently and these help us

better understand what recovery means:

• Recovery is about living a satisfying and fulfilling life.

• Recovery is about more than the absence of the symptoms of illness. Some people describe themselves as being in recovery while still experiencing symptoms.

• There can be lots of ups and downs during the recovery process – some people describe it as a journey.

• For this reason people of tend to talk about being in recovery rather than recovered.

• Some people consider recovery as being ‘back to the way things were’ or back to ‘normal’ but for others recovery is more about discovering a new life or a new way of being.

At RAMH we have adopted the Scottish Recovery Network's definition of recovery which is:

“Recovery is being able to live a meaningful and satisfying life, as defined by each person, in the presence or absence of symptoms. It is about having control over and input into your own life. Each individual’s recovery, like his or her experience of the mental health problems or illness, is a unique and deeply personal process. It is important to be clear that there is no right or wrong way to recover.”

(Scottish Recovery Network)

Scottish Recovery Network

The Scottish Recovery Network is an initiative of Scotland’s National Programme for Improving Mental Health and Well-being. It was formally launched in October 2004. The network works to raise awareness of recovery and to develop a better understanding of what helps promote recovery across communities. The network shares ideas and practices based on evidence gathered in Scotland and learned from other countries.

SRN aims to:

Raise awareness that people can and do recover from long term and serious mental health problems, and of what recovery might mean for people.

• Build our understanding of what helps people recover and stay well.

• Build capacity for recovery by highlighting and supporting examples of good practice.

SRN’s Key Messages:

• People can and do recover from even the most severe mental health problems.

• Recovery means having the opportunity to live a satisfying and fulfilling life in the presence or absence of ongoing symptoms.

• No two people’s recovery journey or experience will be the same.

• The critical assessment of attitudes and values can have a powerful impact on an individual’s prospects of recovery.

For more information on the Scottish Recovery Network see www.scottishrecovery.net

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