Understanding the ups and downs of living well: the voices of people experiencing early mental health recovery
Open accessAbstract
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to better understand early-stage mental health recovery experiences of people living with severe and persistent mental illness and complex needs. METHODS: Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with 13 people engaged in an Australian program specifically designed for people facing complex barriers to their recovery. Interview data were analysed thematically using constant comparative methods. RESULTS: Participants described engaging with seven interconnecting aspects of early recovery: (1) engaging with the challenge of recovery; (2) struggling for a secure and stable footing; (3) grieving for what was and what could have been; (4) seeking and finding hope; (5) navigating complex relationships; (6) connecting with formal and informal support, and finally, (7) juggling a complexity of health issues. CONCLUSIONS: This study illuminated the complexity of earlier-stage recovery which was characterised both by challenging personal circumstances and a hope for the future. It illustrated that even at an early point in their recovery journey, and amidst these challenging circumstances, people still actively engage with support, draw on inner strengths, source resources and find accomplishments. Stability and security was foundational to the ability of participants to draw on their own strengths and move forward. Stability came when material needs, including housing, were addressed, and an individual was able to connect with a supportive network of workers, carers, friends and family.
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Recovery within this theme is described as an internal fight, coming to the realization that "It needs to be me" (48).
“Recovery within this theme is described as an internal fight, coming to the realization that “It needs to be me” (48).”
From Recovery from Severe Mental Health Problems: A Systematic Review of Service User and Informal Caregiver Perspectives (2021) · cites this paper as [48]
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- Authors
- Hancock, N., Smith-Merry, J., Jessup, G., Wayland, S., & Kokany, A.
- Affiliations
- The University of Sydney (AU)
- University of Technology Sydney (AU)
- Corresponding author
- Hancock, Nicola
- Venue
- BMC Psychiatry
- Published
- 2018-05-04
- Volume
- 18
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 121-121
- ISSN
- 1471-244X (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC5935906
- OpenAlex
- W2806570501
- Cited by
- 25
- References
- 30
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 4 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 1
- FWCI
- 4.20
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- BMC Psychiatry (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, other-oa)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- RUNE (Research UNE) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- UTS ePRESS (University of Technology Sydney) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Mental Health and Patient Involvement
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychiatric care and mental health services
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Schizophrenia research and treatment
- Keywords
- severe and persistent mental illness, complex needs, lived experience, hope, grief, interpersonal relationships, social support networks, housing stability, material needs, inner strength
- MeSH terms
- Mental Health Recovery, Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Australia, Mental Disorders, Female, Humans, Interviews as Topic, Male, Middle Aged, Social Support, Young Adult
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