Mental illness recovery and place

Abstract

This paper explores fifteen residents’ perspectives on a supported housing program for people recovering from low prevalence mental health disorders in rural Gippsland, Victoria, Australia. It moves beyond the often unproductive institutional versus community care dichotomy to present a more complex consideration of the residents’ perceptions of supported housing as a site for recovery. This paper contributes to the literature on consumers’ experiences of mental health care in particular places. The residents’ narratives highlight the importance of supported accommodation as an integral part of a recovery focused service system delivered predominantly, but not exclusively, in the community.

Keywords:

• recovery
• rural mental health
• place
• mental health promotion
• community care