Recovery from schizophrenia and the role of evidence-based psychosocial interventions

Recovery is the new vision for mental health services, in which two definitions of recovery dominate. Firstly, recovery is an outcome; research suggests that many people with serious mental illness learn to cope with their disabilities so they can achieve major life goals related to independent living. Secondly, recovery is a process; it reintroduces such important values as hope, empowerment and goal orientation into the service system. Both definitions have data that support its assertions, suggesting that an integration of the two offers the most complete and effective picture of recovery. Psychosocial interventions integrated with psychopharmacological strategies have been shown to most effectively help individuals recover. Effective interventions are those that are evidence based and include, illness management, supported employment, assertive community treatment, services to families and dually diagnosed services.