What is mental health recovery?

Recovery from a mental illness is the process of understanding your condition, managing your symptoms as well as you can and taking control of your own life.

It can involve:

• learning your strengths and weaknesses
• deciding what is important for you
• planning what you would like your life to look like, regardless of the state of your mental and physical health
• taking responsibility in your care

Most people who are diagnosed with a mental illness can recover with the right support.

The sooner you seek help and treatment, the more positive your recovery can be.

Recovery is about improving your life more generally, not just treatment and management of your mental health symptoms. It is not the same as a cure. With or without mental health issues, recovery means being able to:

• create and live a meaningful life
• develop positive self-esteem and resilience
• have a sense of purpose and meaning in your life
• contribute to your community
• build healthy relationships
• gain independence
• understand your skills and limitations

Recovery based mental healthcare is part of Australia's national mental health framework. It focuses on 6 key principles:

• Uniqueness of the individual — You should feel supported to build and live a satisfying life in a way that empowers you.
• Real choices — You should be given enough information to make informed choices about your life, care and treatment.
• Attitudes and rights — Your legal and human rights should be communicated, respected and promoted.
• Dignity and respect — You should feel welcome and respected at your health practice.
• Partnership and communication — You should be encouraged to take part in all aspects of your care planning and treatment.
• Evaluating recovery — You should be involved in reviewing and assessing your recovery goals.

When you take a 'recovery approach', you work with your doctor and other health professionals. As a team, you can plan how to manage your mental health and achieve your personal goals. A range of services can help you recover and what you need will be different for every person. Your care will be personal and unique to you.

What is a mental health recovery plan?

A mental health recovery plan is sometimes known as a wellness recovery action plan or a wellbeing assessment and management plan. A recovery plan can help you to:

• identify what sort of life you want to lead and create positive changes
• take personal responsibility to achieve your goals
• feel empowered and educated about your mental health
• keep track of changes in your mental health
• identify and manage triggers that might worsen your mental health
• have a plan in case of crisis

Together with your mental health team, you can work out how best to get what you want and what help you need along the way.

How do I get help with my recovery?

Many mental health services can help with your recovery. The first step is to see your doctor. They can give you advice and refer you to mental health professionals and local services.

Your doctor can help you build a mental health care plan.

ASK YOUR DOCTOR — Preparing for an appointment? Use the Question Builder for general tips on what to ask your GP or specialist.

FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.

What else can I do to help my recovery?

There are other ways you can help your recovery, such as:

• healthy eating
• regular physical activity
• getting plenty of sleep
• learning skills like mindfulness, which can help with stress management
• taking your medicine as directed
• reporting any side effects or problems to your doctor or specialist
• attending regular appointments

Avoiding alcohol and drug use is also important. They can make your mental health symptoms worse.

Daily actions to improve your mental health

Know your rights

It is also important to understand your rights while you are recovering from mental illness. This way, you can advocate for yourself.

Your mental health care can be voluntary or involuntary.

Voluntary care is when you or your guardian chooses for you to have treatment. This includes being admitted to a mental health facility. If you are a voluntary patient, you should be seen by an authorised person within 2 hours. They will assess whether you will benefit from care.

Involuntary care is when you receive care without giving your consent. This can only happen if you or others are at serious risk of harm and there is no better way to give you treatment. If you receive involuntary care, you must be seen by an authorised person within 12 hours. They will assess your situation. If they find that you are not mentally unwell, you will become a voluntary patient. This means you are allowed to leave.

When receiving mental health care, the healthcare professionals caring for you will inform you of your rights.

Advocate for yourself

During recovery, self-advocacy is when you speak up for yourself and your:

• rights
• needs
• preferences

You can advocate for yourself during mental health recovery by:

• asking your healthcare team any questions you have
• taking notes when talking to your healthcare team
• sharing your preferences for care and treatment
• being involved in decisions about your care

Other people can also support your advocacy, such as a patient advocacy group.

Decisions about your care can include choosing a mental health professional or switching to a doctor who is better suited for you. You can read more about finding the right health professional.

If you do not feel supported in your mental health recovery, you can make a complaint. Each state or territory has a different process for making complaints or giving feedback. You can visit the following links for more information.

• Australian Capital Territory — ACT Human Rights Commission
• Northern Territory — Health and Community Services Complaints Commission
• New South Wales — Health Care Complaints Commission
• Queensland — Office of the Health Ombudsman
• South Australia — Health and Community Services Complaints Commissioner
• Tasmania — Health Complaints Commissioner
• Victoria — Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission
• Western Australia — Health and Disability Services Complaints Office

For more information about how to make complaints visit the Australian Commission of Quality in Healthcare website.

Resources and support

Healthdirect also offers a comprehensive directory of mental health resources.

You can find information and support from the following organisations:

• Medicare Mental Health gives advice and will connect you to local mental health services. Call 1800 595 212. Check the operating times.
• ReachOut has practical tools and support for young people.
• Beyond Blue has mental health resources for depression and anxiety

Languages other than English

• Embrace Multicultural Mental Health has information in multiple languages.
• Beyond Blue offers mental health information in various languages.
• Transcultural Mental Health provides information and services for people from other cultures or people who prefer languages other than English.
• This Way Up has mental health resources including information in languages other than English.

Information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people

13YARN is the first national crisis support line for mob who are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping. Call 13 YARN (13 92 76) for a confidential one-on-one with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter.

Beyond Blue also has helpful contacts for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.