Recovery in Canada: toward social equality

Area of Science:

• Mental Health Policy
• Healthcare Reform
• Social Psychiatry

Background:

• The recovery paradigm has evolved significantly in Canadian mental health care.
• Implementation of recovery principles in policy followed the 2006 Kirby Commission Report.
• The Mental Health Commission of Canada's 2009 strategy integrated 'recovery' and 'well-being'.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the evolution of the recovery paradigm in Canadian mental health.
• To examine the implementation of recovery in national and provincial mental health policy.
• To explore the impact of the 'recovery and well-being' strategy on provincial policymaking.

Main Methods:

• Literature review tracing the origins and development of the recovery concept.
• Analysis of national and provincial mental health policy documents.
• Consultations with Canadian policymakers to understand implementation.

Main Results:

• Mixed support for the recovery paradigm as a guiding principle for mental health reform in Canada.
• Some provinces demonstrate strong adoption of recovery and consumer movement values.
• Other provinces have adopted population-based wellness paradigms emphasizing evidence-based services and professional expertise.

Conclusions:

• Canadian mental health policy presents a varied landscape regarding the recovery paradigm.
• Provincial approaches differ, with some aligning with recovery principles and others with wellness models.
• Social equality for individuals with mental illness is a recognized value across different policy approaches.