Ultimately, because recovery is a personal and unique process, everyone with a psychiatric illness develops his or her own  definition of recovery.

1. However, certain concepts are common to recovery.

Hope and Resilience.

1. Having a sense of hope is the foundation for ongoing recovery from mental illness.
2. Even the smallest belief that we can get better, as others have, can fuel the recovery process.

Medication/Treatment
For many, the goal is not to be medication-free, but to take the least amount necessary.

1. Likewise, mental health consumers often report that mental health professionals and treatment programs are valuable to their recovery.
2. Especially when consumers feel they are engaged in a partnership with their treatment provider and are involved in their treatment planning.

Empowerment/
Self-determination

1. Empowerment/Self-determination is the belief that one has power and control in their life, including their illness.
2. Empowerment/Self-determination also involves taking responsibility for self and advocating for self and others.
3. As consumers grow in their recovery journeys, they gain a greater sense of empowerment/Self-determination in their lives.

Support

1. Support from peers, family, friends and mental health professionals is essential to recovery from mental illness.
2. This not only reduces a consumer’s sense of isolation, but also increases their activity in the community, allowing them to obtain an integral role in society.

Education/Knowledge

1. In order to maximize recovery, it is important to learn as much as possible about our illnesses, medications, best treatment practices and available resources.
2. It’s also important to learn about ourselves, including our symptoms so that we can gain better control over our illnesses.

Self‑help

1. While most consumers recognize the value of professional treatment, self‑help is often viewed as the conduit to growth in recovery.
2. Self‑help can take many forms including learning to identify symptoms and take actions to counteract them, reading and learning about an illness and its treatment, learning and applying coping skills, attending support groups and developing a support system to rely on when necessary.

Spirituality

1. For many consumers spirituality provides hope, solace during their illness, peace and understanding and a source of social support.

A Framework for a Mental Health Strategy for Canada