Promoting Recovery in Vancouver Community Mental Health Services

The recovery literature proposes that consumerinvolvement in organizational decision-makingpromotes recovery hope and self-determination. Withthese outcomes in mind this book provides an exampleof an ethically approved collaborative qualitativeaction research project involving consumers stafffamily members and management of adult services atVancouver Community Mental Health Services (VCMHS).The project enhances the organization's emergingcommitment reflecting a growing internationalinterest in psychosocial rehabilitation and recoveryto provide consumers with recovery services and tobring decision-making closer to them. Data fromface-to-face interviews and a powerful café stylefocus group are outlined. The project collaborativelyengaged participants (including consumers of mentalhealth services family members staff and managementof VCHMS) in articulating a plan that is mutuallybeneficial to and practicable for all stakeholders.The conclusion is that VCMHS wishes to involveconsumers in organizational decision-making to becomea more recovery-oriented system.