Recovery in Australia: marshalling strengths and living values

Clear national policy now exists in Australia regarding recovery. Personal accounts of recovery often include reference to meaning, purpose and issues regarding identity. Personal strengths and expression of personal values are closely related to the development of meaning, purpose and a stable sense of self, resulting in a sense of wellbeing. These constructs fall under the research umbrella of positive psychology. By combining aspects of the recovery policy with evidence from the science of positive psychology there are increasing attempts to include strengths and values work with mental health staff and consumers. This paper describes how the collaborative recovery model (CRM) with its emphasis on strengths and values, draws on the emerging evidence based on positive psychology. CRM has now been implemented in non-government community services in each mainland state of Australia. Implementation issues of the CRM as one example of recovery-orientated service provision are then described. Potential barriers and facilitators of growth-based approaches such as CRM moving to government clinical services is then discussed. Recent national reviews of recovery measurement instruments are also summarized. Specific recommendations are then provided to further national implementation of recovery-orientated service provision in Australia.