Recovery & Stigma

recovery

a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential

health, home, purpose, community

four major dimensions that support a life of recovery according the SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)

Hope – Recovery is possible

Person-driven – Individual leads their recovery

Many pathways – Multiple approaches to recovery

Holistic – Whole-person care (mind, body, spirit, community)

Peer support – Shared experiences promote healing

Relational – Supportive relationships are essential

Culture – Culturally based and responsive

Addresses trauma – Trauma-informed care

Strengths & responsibility – Builds on strengths and personal responsibility

Respect – Acceptance, dignity, and rights

key components of recovery

routines

OT’s can facilitate recovery in a way that is supportive of __________ that promote health, well-being, and balance.

the lived experience

the real, personal experience of someone who is going through or has gone through recovery from mental health and/or substance use challenges

It can help families, communities, caregivers, and OT’s learn more about the lives of those living with mental health and/or substance use challenges.

How can the lived exerience of recovery help people?

They provide focus for what is important when delivering recovery-oriented services.

What do the dimensions of recovery do?

by encouraging the client to define home, health, purpose, and community

How does the OT begin the OT process?

• overcoming/managing one’s disease or symptoms

• making informed healthy choices that support physical and emotional well-being

• gain knowledge and tools (given by the OT) to clients about their disorder

What is involved in the health dimension of recovery?

• comfort, having your own things the way you want them

• supportive community of the person in recovery

What is involved in the home dimension of recovery?

• engaging with others

• meeting expectation when fulfilling valued roles

• talking to the client, reading between the lines, trying to understand what is meaningful to them

• asking the client questions about themselves, listening without judgment

What is involved in the purpose dimension of recovery?

allows someone to reach their potential through meaningful daily activities

What does finding purpose allow for?

the space and place that brings support for the person in recovery

What is involved in the community dimension of recovery?

stigma

a key factor for why people might not seek out mental health care

stigma (being called incompetent, lazy, shaming, blaming, people not attempting to understand, negative attitudes)

Even though mental illness has a high global disease burden, why do many people not seek out mental health care?

• negative response (discrimination)

• punishment, blame, shame

• name-calling (incompetent, slacker)

What do negative attitudes and beliefs about people with mental illness lead to?

Self-Stigma of Mental Illness Scale

a self-report tool to help people with mental illness access dysfunctional beliefs about themselves

occupational justice

the right of every individual to have access to, and the ability to engage in, a variety of occupations necessary to support health and wellness

chronic stress of self-deprecation

the ongoing psychological strain caused by frequently and habitually putting yourself down, criticizing your worth, abilities, or character over a long period of time

reduction in self-determination and full participation in community life

What can chronic stress of self-deprecation lead to?

universalism

What occupational justice model can OT’s embrace that addresses issues of access, equality, and inclusion, rather than concepts such as functionality?

• promotes occupational justice

marginality

refers to individuals experiencing a lack of integration with cultural experiences and norms

exclusion

refers to confinement, or social control, now also includes those whose access to occupations is restricted by society because of their diagnosis or symptoms

disaffiliation

refers to those whose circumstances have devolved to such a level of disruption that they are viewed as “other”

sanctioned occupations

occupations that are socially acceptable

unsanctioned occupations/non

occupations that are considered socially deviant from the norm