Oftentimes when people hear the word “recovery” they immediately think of substance abuse, alcoholism, and addiction. However, the concept of recovery is just as important in the world of mental health.  Although there are many perceptions and definitions of recovery, William Anthony, Director of the Boston Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation developed the cornerstone definition of mental health recovery. Anthony (1993) identifies recovery as “a deeply personal, unique process of changing one’s attitudes, values, feelings, goals, skills and/or roles. It is a way of living a satisfying, hopeful, and contributing life even with limitations caused by the illness. Recovery involves the development of new meaning and purpose in one’s life as one grows beyond the catastrophic effects of mental illness."

Recovery means different things to different people, but the overriding belief in the mental health world is that every person can achieve some level of recovery in their lives. For some people recovery means they will be able to work; for others that they will be able to live independently; for others that they will be able to have a relationship; and for some it will involve any combination of those or other changes in their lives.

The question that has been asked and studied for many years is “What factors contribute to the process of recovery?” In the past, the first answer to this question was usually: medication and therapy. We now know that many factors play a key role in recovery. Some that are identified as equally important to formal treatment include: hope, spirituality, self-direction, empowerment, support, self-help, education, employment or meaningful daytime activity, and stable housing.

Empowerment, self-direction, self-help, and support, particularly support from others with similar experiences, frequently referred to as peer support, are key in this process. People recovering from mental conditions need to realize they have power and control in their life, and that includes their illness. Self-help can take many forms including learning to identify symptoms and take actions to counteract them, learning about an illness and its treatment, learning and applying coping skills, attending support groups and developing a support system to rely on when needed. Empowerment also involves taking responsibility and advocating for one’s self and others.

Support from peers, family, friends and mental health professionals is essential to recovery from mental illness. It is especially beneficial to have multiple sources of support. This not only reduces a consumer’s sense of isolation, but also increases their activity in the community. In addition to support from individuals, participation in support groups is an important tool for recovery. Consumers frequently report that being able to interact with others who understand their feelings and experiences is the most important ingredient for their recovery.

On a local level, an interested group of people in recovery and representatives from mental health agencies have joined forces to work on expanding peer support and recovery opportunities in the Cortland community.  On of the initial activities is the first annual Peer Empowerment Conference scheduled for April 15, 2011 at Cortland Regional Medical Center. Dan Hazen, a well known activist in the peer empowerment and recovery movement will be the guest speaker. Anne Dox and Jim Rye from a fully operating consumer advocacy center called The Empowerment Center, Elizabeth Patience from the Office of Consumer Affairs at NYS Office of Mental Health, and local people involved with peer initiatives will also present information on our current efforts and future plans. For more conference information, call 756-5992, ext 23 or go to CCOCC Peers on Facebook. 

 Marie Walsh is the Executive Director of Catholic Charities of Cortland County which provides a variety of community mental health services, including residential, case management and peer support services. Check it out at www.ccocc.org.