Narratives of Recovery from Mental Illness presents research that challenges the prevailing view that recovery from 'mental illness' must take place within the boundaries of traditional mental health services. While Watts and Higgins accept that medical treatment may be a vital start to some people's recovery, they argue that mental health problems can also be resolved through everyday social interactions, and through peer and community support. Using a narrative approach, this book presents detailed recovery stories of 26 people who received various diagnoses of 'mental illness' and were involved in a mutual help group known as 'GROW'. Drawing on an in-depth analysis of each story, chapters offer new understandings of the journey into mental distress and a progressive entrapment through a combination of events, feelings, thoughts and relationships. The book also discusses the process of ongoing personal liberation and healing which assists recovery, and suggests that friendship, social involvement, compassion, and nurturing processes of change all play key factors in improved mental well-being. This book provides an alternative way of looking at 'mental illness' and demonstrates many unexplored avenues and paths to recovery that need to be considered. As such, it will be of interest to researchers, academics and postgraduate students in the fields of psychiatry, psychology, nursing, social work and occupational therapy, as well as to service providers, policymakers and peer support organisations. The narratives of recovery within the book should also be a source of hope to people struggling with 'mental illness' and emotional distress

Narratives of Recovery from Mental Illness presents research that challenges the prevailing view that recovery from 'mental illness' must take place within the boundaries of traditional mental health services. While Watts and Higgins accept that medical treatment may be a vital start to some people's recovery, they argue that mental health problems can also be resolved through everyday social interactions, and through peer and community support. Using a narrative approach, this book presents detailed recovery stories of 26 people who received various diagnoses of 'mental illness' and were involved in a mutual help group known as 'GROW'. Drawing on an in-depth analysis of each story, chapters offer new understandings of the journey into mental distress and a progressive entrapment through a combination of events, feelings, thoughts and relationships. The book also discusses the process of ongoing personal liberation and healing which assists recovery, and suggests that friendship, social involvement, compassion, and nurturing processes of change all play key factors in improved mental well-being. This book provides an alternative way of looking at 'mental illness' and demonstrates many unexplored avenues and paths to recovery that need to be considered. As such, it will be of interest to researchers, academics and postgraduate students in the fields of psychiatry, psychology, nursing, social work and occupational therapy, as well as to service providers, policymakers and peer support organisations. The narratives of recovery within the book should also be a source of hope to people struggling with 'mental illness' and emotional distress

This textbook explores issues central to the provision of recovery-orientated care based on ethical principles and human rights perspectives. Written by academics and nurse practitioners, this comprehensive text draws together theory, research and practice to map the landscape of Advanced Practice in Mental Health Nursing (APMHN) in Europe. Underpinned by a rights- and relational- based approach to care, the textbook is organized around six themes: theoretical and historical perspectives; foundations for collaborative working; therapeutic engagement in different contexts; beyond the clinical dimension of the APMHN role; advancing the evidence-based practice agenda and emerging issues and challenges. Each theme consists of a number of chapters that are designed to address different aspects of APMHN. With a focus on illuminating the collaborating aspect of their role and advancing nurses' competencies, debates and guidance are provided in areas such as therapeutic alliance, assessment, care-planning, mental health promotion, family work, trauma, diversity and culture, spirituality, risk and uncertainty, and prescribing. In addition to addressing the leadership, education and advocacy role, specific chapters explore the APMHN role in linking evidence to practice, in the participatory generation of evidence and maintaining professional competence. With a focus on future challenges and opportunities the textbook concludes with discussion on issues, such as eMental Health and future challenges and possibilities facing APMHNs, including challenges in informing policy, democratizing services, working across service and disciplinary boundaries, collaboratively shaping the evidence agenda, as well sustaining their role into the future. Within the book theoretical debate is grounded in case studies and/or examples from across Europe. This textbook is especially relevant to Mental Health Nurses undertaking studies at the Advanced Practice level. It is also suited to all Mental Health Nurses studying at post-graduate level who wish to advance their practice irrespective of the country. Educators, researchers and policy-makers involved in the area of Mental Health and Advanced Nursing Practice along with people with lived experiences will find the text of relevance.