Can people who have serious mental illness reach and maintain recovery?

Historically, recovery from SMI was not considered likely or even possible. However, a range of evidence over the last two decades indicates that around 65% of people with SMI experience partial to full recovery over time. Recovery does not necessarily mean the absence of symptoms. Recovery from SMI is defined in both objective and subjective ways. This incorporates concepts that go beyond just having stable symptoms. It includes well-being, quality of life, functioning, and a sense of hope and optimism. Recovery is a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential.

The four major dimensions that support recovery are health, home, purpose, and community.

• Health – overcome or manage one’s disease(s) or symptoms, and make informed, healthy choices that support physical and emotional well-being
• Home – have a stable and safe place to live
• Purpose – conduct meaningful daily activities, such as a job, school, volunteerism, family caretaking, or creative endeavors, and the independence, income, and resources to participate in society
• Community – have relationships and social networks that provide support, friendship, love, and hope

Individuals should identify their recovery goals and receive support for them in their treatment plans.

Learn more about common myths around SMI and recovery. See our infographic on this topic.

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REFERENCES

• Serious Mental Illness Recovery: The Basics. National Alliance on Mental Illness. Accessed August 25, 2022. https://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/August-2021/Serious-Mental-Illness-Recovery-The-Basics
• Achieving the Promise: Transforming Mental Health Care in America. Pub no SMA-03-3832. Rockville, Md, Department of Health and Human Services, President’s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health, 2003.
• Council of Representatives: Resolution on APA Endorsement of the Concept of Recovery for People with Serious Mental Illness. Washington, DC, American Psychological Association, 2009.
• Liberman RP, Kopelowicz A. Recovery from schizophrenia: a concept in search of research. Psychiatr Serv. 2005 Jun;56(6):735-42. doi: 10.1176/appi.ps.56.6.735. PMID: 15939952.
• Liberman RP, Kopelowicz A, Ventura J, et al: Operational criteria and factors related to recovery from schizophrenia. International Review of Psychiatry 14:256–272, 2002.
• Evidence for IPS. IPS Employment Center. Accessed July 31, 2022. https://ipsworks.org/index.php/evidence-for-ips/
• Gühne U, Pabst A, Löbner M et al. Employment status and desire for work in severe mental illness: results from an observational, cross-sectional study. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 2021;56:1657–1667. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-021-02088-8
• Luciano A, Bond GR, Drake RE Does employment alter the course and outcome of schizophrenia and other severe mental illness? A systematic review of longitudinal research. Schizophrenia Bulletin. 2014:159(2-3):312-321.
• Martone J, Swarbrick MA. The detrimental health impact of unemployment. Behavioral Health News. January 2021.
• SAMHSA’s Working De‑nition of Recovery. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. 2012. Accessed July 31, 2022. https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/‑les/d7/priv/pep12-recdef.pdf
• Recovery and Recovery Support. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Accessed August 25, 2022. https://www.samhsa.gov/‑nd-help/recovery