Service users’ experiences of life supported by an Irish mental health service still battling with implementing recovery-orientated principles

Abstract

Current Irish governmental policies advocate the development and evaluation of recovery-orientated mental health services. This study evaluated a new recovery-orientated mental health service in the Health Service Executive West region. During 2007–2008, long-term users of the service (N = 39) were interviewed to obtain their individual perspectives and experiences of attending the service. A semi-structured interview collected quantitative and qualitative data on seven recovery-related themes. Specific emphasis was placed on assessing performance-related tasks. Schizophrenia was the most common psychiatric diagnosis (46%). The results revealed that service users relied on the service for basic needs, including regular midday meals (90%), personal care (40%), and housing (50%). One-in-four service users correctly reported a psychiatric diagnosis that was consistent with their medical file. Although several service users were forthcoming with recommendations about how the service could change in the future, acquiescence was evident in a number of interviews. In conclusion, the service in this study essentially provides care for the service users, but does not empower them to live productive and goal-orientated lives. This practice does not appear to be congruent with current government policies advocating that mental health services adopt a model of least restrictive care in daily interactions with service users.

Keywords:

• rehabilitation
• recovery
• service user
• mental health service

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1. The terms ‘patient’ and ‘illness’ are used in this paper to refer to historical psychiatric literature. The respondents in this study also use these terms when referring to themselves and their experiences. Where possible, however, preference and priority are given to the terms ‘service user’ and ‘mental health difficulties’ to be consistent with the psychosocial rehabilitation literature and recent shifts in government policy documents.