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THE RECOVERY PATHWAYS CONTINUED
RECOVERY CULTURE
Recovery Culture is more than an environment that is healing, hopeful, empowered and person lead; it is a culture that believes that people are capable of overcoming all obstacles. When family members support individuals and systems of care provide treatment to individuals, the idea of a culture of recovery is the foundation upon which all hope, choice and empowerment are built. This is because a recovery culture approach believes in people unendingly; it knows that no matter what the symptoms, history of the person, level of medication, and number of hospitalizations…there is a person who is struggling to be well inside each individual. Therefore, all of our ways of being with those we support will speak to their strengths, their hopes, the reality that dreams can be  accomplished, and the fact of recovery. Our environments will respect people in that they will be comfortable, welcoming, and colorful, relaxed, and demonstrate respect.
SPIRITUALITY
Meaning and Purpose/Spirituality are ways of identifying the need for people to have a reason to live. Some people find their reason to live in faith. Others find it in having someone or something to care about. They may find meaning and purpose in volunteer work, having a pet, work, doing creative activities, yoga, going to school, or any number of things. Whatever calls to a person’s heart and causes them to find a greater purpose in life will support their continued effort in life. When people lose meaning and purpose in life, their risk of suicide rises.
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As our understanding of mental health care begins to shift to a system in which stabilization is the goal to a system in which recovery is the goal, our way of being with people must change. We must find ways to use the Recovery Pathways. We are responsible for inspiring hope, supporting people to make choices, making sure people find their power and take charge of their lives, behave in ways that demonstrate our unending hope and belief in people’s ability to recover, and to support people to find the meaning and purpose in their lives. Recovery is real; let’s create families and systems that support this fact..
County of San Diego
Mental Health Department
The content of this article was written by Lisa St. George, MSW, CPRP and Person in Recovery, and was edited for its publicartion by Dr. Piedad Garcia, Ed.D. LCSW, Assistant Deputy Director, County of San Diego, Mental Health Services. This document is in the public domain and may be reproduced without permission from MHS.
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...MHSA PROP 63
