Mental health recovery

The whole life approach to mental health recovery is a common sense approach that accepts that people with mental health problems are more than the sum of their symptoms.

Whole life

Whole life is a common sense approach which accepts that people with mental health problems are more than the sum of their symptoms. It started in mental health, but local commitment has meant it is applied to everyone with whom we work. It acknowledges and encourages their hopes and aspirations. Just like everyone, they want to be well and valued.

Whole life in Cornwall has embedded a set of values and principles that support recovery and enable people to enjoy the full benefits. It is not just about health. It’s about every aspect of life. We work with a range of local organisations and businesses to help people retain their social status, health, wellbeing and their place in the community.

Social inclusion is something which takes place everyday of our lives. Most of us take it for granted. For example, social inclusion happens when you go to work, take part in an activity or go to a concert. It can be something as simple as answering the telephone or going to the shop for a newspaper.

Whole life is about interaction with others. Imagine if you didn’t have a job, take part in activities or go to concerts and the only time you received a telephone call or a knock at your door was from a psychiatric nurse. It is very easy to see how people who have had prolonged contact with mental health services can become isolated from daily life.

We have social inclusion workers who try to stop this happening. They identify the types of things people want to do. They will work with other organisations to create opportunities, so this can happen. The social inclusion workers want people to be independent and do things for themselves. Social inclusion workers can help people break tasks down into manageable chunks, so people feel confident to have a go themselves. The support each person needs varies.

One example of how we help people is through a partnership between the Eden Project, Cornwall College and the Trust. An open course is run at Eden. This gives people the opportunity to gain a qualification and work experience. Each course is limited to 10 people so is a good first step. Lots of people who have completed this course have gone onto mainstream courses or employment. Lots of them say that as a result they have increased confidence and self-esteem.

What we do is common sense. For people to progress and recover we need to address the things that affect their mental health and not just treat the symptoms. We help people identify what is most important to them. As a mental health provider we are not a housing expert or an employment adviser but through our networks, we have links and partners who can help us solve these problems for people.

• Download the Rethink Your Mind leaflet

Care programme approach

Medicines can be an important part of a person’s recovery. We believe people, both patients and staff, need to have information which allows them to be confident that the mental health medication used by the Trust is safe, effective, offers the best outcomes and value for money.

It has 4 main elements:

1. Systematic arrangements for assessing the health and social needs of people accepted into specialist mental health services.
2. The formation of a care plan which identifies the health and social care required from a variety of providers.
3. The appointment of a key worker (care co-ordinator) to keep in close touch with the service user and to monitor and co-ordinate care.
4. Regular review and, where necessary, agreed changes to the care plan.

The Care programme approach is applicable to all adults of working age in contact with mental health service.

• Download how we review your care leaflet [PDF] 597 KB