Village Analysis Paper
The recovery-oriented model, seeks to approach mental illness from a person-centered approach as opposed to illness-centered. At Mental Health of America Los Angeles (MHA) Village, providers utilize the recovery-oriented model successfully, helping those with mental illness recover and reintegrate into the community. In the text A Practical Guide to Recovery-Oriented Practice: Tools for Transforming Mental Health Care, Davidson, Lawless, O'Connell, Rowe, and Tondora (2009) describe eight practice standards as a guideline for those wanting to implement the recovery-oriented approach in their agencies. Below, I will be focusing on three of the practice standards employed at MHA Village, namely, Primacy of Participation, …show more content…
95). Although the deinstitutionalization movement of the 1950’s had good intentions, people suffering from mental illness encountered obstacles in their pursuit of seeking treatment. Obstacles, such as finding funding for community centers, being eligible for services, the idea of needing to hit rock bottom before being able to be helped, along with practical concerns such as, transportation, time availability, or psychiatric symptoms (Davidson et al., 2009, pp. 95-96). Due to these unanticipated barriers, many individuals struggling from mental illness do not get the help they need (Davidson et al., 2009). At the MHA Village, access and engagement is a fundamental element of their approach to helping their members. Care at MHA Village is “swift and uncomplicated” with many entry points to care, ranging from community outreach, to walk-ins, to referrals from homeless shelters (Davidson et al., 2009, pp. 95-96). The MHA Village has a “whatever it takes” approach to helping their clients, with round the clock staff available and the willingness to meet the clients where it is needed; whether that is in the client’s home or at a café or a park. There is also a “zero rejection” policy where individuals are never turned away due to the challenges they pose, reducing barriers to access (Davidson et …show more content…
At MHA Village, staff members succeed in carrying out the recovery-oriented practice standards as described by Davidson and colleagues (2009). Primacy of participation is achieved through, a welcoming environment, working collaboratively with the client and the use of a “menu approach” through which clients can personalize their recovery. Promotion of access and engagement is achieved through community outreach, the dedication to meet clients where it is needed and through the relationship built with the client. Lastly, strength-based assessments are achieved through the wording of assessments, shifting the focus of treatment from deficits to strengths, and helping clients use their strengths, internal and external resources to the advantage of their recovery (Davidson et al.,
The recovery-oriented model, seeks to approach mental illness from a person-centered approach as opposed to illness-centered. At Mental Health of America Los Angeles (MHA) Village, providers utilize the recovery-oriented model successfully, helping those with mental illness recover and reintegrate into the community. In the text A Practical Guide to Recovery-Oriented Practice: Tools for Transforming Mental Health Care, Davidson, Lawless, O'Connell, Rowe, and Tondora (2009) describe eight practice standards as a guideline for those wanting to implement the recovery-oriented approach in their agencies. Below, I will be focusing on three of the practice standards employed at MHA Village, namely, Primacy of Participation, …show more content…
95). Although the deinstitutionalization movement of the 1950’s had good intentions, people suffering from mental illness encountered obstacles in their pursuit of seeking treatment. Obstacles, such as finding funding for community centers, being eligible for services, the idea of needing to hit rock bottom before being able to be helped, along with practical concerns such as, transportation, time availability, or psychiatric symptoms (Davidson et al., 2009, pp. 95-96). Due to these unanticipated barriers, many individuals struggling from mental illness do not get the help they need (Davidson et al., 2009). At the MHA Village, access and engagement is a fundamental element of their approach to helping their members. Care at MHA Village is “swift and uncomplicated” with many entry points to care, ranging from community outreach, to walk-ins, to referrals from homeless shelters (Davidson et al., 2009, pp. 95-96). The MHA Village has a “whatever it takes” approach to helping their clients, with round the clock staff available and the willingness to meet the clients where it is needed; whether that is in the client’s home or at a café or a park. There is also a “zero rejection” policy where individuals are never turned away due to the challenges they pose, reducing barriers to access (Davidson et …show more content…
At MHA Village, staff members succeed in carrying out the recovery-oriented practice standards as described by Davidson and colleagues (2009). Primacy of participation is achieved through, a welcoming environment, working collaboratively with the client and the use of a “menu approach” through which clients can personalize their recovery. Promotion of access and engagement is achieved through community outreach, the dedication to meet clients where it is needed and through the relationship built with the client. Lastly, strength-based assessments are achieved through the wording of assessments, shifting the focus of treatment from deficits to strengths, and helping clients use their strengths, internal and external resources to the advantage of their recovery (Davidson et al.,