Reclaiming Life: Six Consumers of Mental Health Services Talk About What Helped and What Did Not Help Them Get Their Lives Back

Abstract

This article summarizes a roundtable discussion held at Thresholds in Chicago, Illinois in September 2012, where six people diagnosed with serious mental illness talked about what helped and did not help them recover and successfully reclaim their lives. Their comments, taken as part of their personal narratives, can help enhance understanding of the recovery process. The discussion is organized by the themes that emerged: considering life as distinct from diagnosis, meeting basic needs, empowerment, education, community, faith and hope, healthy thinking, peers, and focus on wellness. Panel members also offer advice for mental health service providers.

Keywords:

• mental health recovery
• recovery process
• personal narrative
• Thresholds