Recovery journey: As people become familiar with their illness, they recognize their own unique patterns of behavior. If individuals recognize these signs andseek effective and timely care, they can often prevent relapses. However, because mental illnesses have no cure, treatment must be continuous. Individuals who live with a mental illness also benefit tremendously from taking responsibility for their own recovery. Once the illness is adequately managed, one must monitor potential side effects. The notion of recovery involves a variety of perspectives. Recovery is a holistic process that includes traditional elements of mental health and aspects that extend beyond medication. Recovery from serious mental illness also includes attaining, and maintaining, physical health as another cornerstone of wellness. The recovery journey is unique for each individual. There are several definitions of recovery; some grounded in medical and clinicalvalues, some grounded in context of community and some in successful living. One of the most important principles is this: recovery is a process, not an event. The uniqueness and individual nature of recovery must be honored. While serious mental illness impacts individuals in many ways, the concept that all individuals can move towards wellness is paramount. | Support and resources If you're struggling to care for someone with a mental health problem, it may help to talk to other carers in a similar situation as you. Some local carers' organisations have separate meetings for carers of people with mental health problems. For details of your nearest carers' support group, call Carers Direct on freephone 0808 802 0202. Lines are open 8am–9pm Monday to Friday and 11am–4pm on weekends and bank holidays. Alternatively, check the directory of local services (above right). The mental health charity Rethink offers a number of specialist services across the country for carers of people with severe mental illness. It also provides more than 138 groups, which meet regularly to give carers and people with severe mental illness a support network in their local area. The person you care for may become increasingly reliant on you. It’s common for people with a mental health diagnosis, such as depression, to become insular and lose interest in social activities. You may be one of the few people they have contact with. It’s important to maintain your social activities. You may need to have a conversation with the person you care for about what you're prepared to do and what you're not prepared to do. You may need to be firm with your decision. If you feel you're doing too much, see if someone else can share the caring responsibility with you. |