Sunday, July 19, 2020
MODULE 6: Person as Agent
Using Jane Addams' model of person as agent, and examples from the film, reply with at least one thing/idea/activity that could facilitate positive change for people labelled with MI living in the community. As you read your classmates' ideas, reply by answering two questions: why do you think this approach might work? What are some potential barriers to this approach?
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Addams believed social relationships and a sense of belonging to a community are human needs (Davidson et al., 2010, p. 83). I think this is very true. In the film, the importance of these needs is seen when Frances is at the park talking about the Fountain House and how there is a sense of community and caring, where Frances was able to be close with people at Fountain House in a way that wasn’t possible with family in the past. I think providing a space where people with MI are able to feel like they have a community and are around people who care about them would be a positive influence and possibly improve someone’s outlook on life. Zeinab was able to cook for the community at the Fountain House and this seemed to be something she enjoyed doing and helped her stay engaged with those around her and might provide a sense of purpose. A community could increase a person’s access to opportunities they need to move forward in a positive direction in their lives, in addition to the positive benefits of social relationships and a sense of belonging. Therefore, I think helping to establish or maintain spaces that foster a sense of community for people with MI could be a method to help people with MI facilitate positive change in their own lives.
ReplyDeleteI believe having safe spaces to foster a sense of community is an amazing thing that facilitates positive change. Whenever we are going through something we always try to find other people going through something similar and by providing these spaces for individuals with MI it allows them to connect and provide a sense of universality! There a few places that come to mind right away for me in the Bangor area, the Clubhouse and the Together place are great resources that are faciliting positive change!
DeleteThanks for this, Luke. Healthy social relationships and membership in a community are certainly human needs. I am therefore in agreement that creating this in any recovery setting would facilitate positive change in individuals with mental illness. I think the biggest obstacle to the establishment of healthy social relationships, and the resulting community, would be how the norms of the community are established by the staff and the residents. As well as how those norms are enforced to continually foster and promote healthy relationships.
DeleteHi Luke,
DeleteIf I remember correctly, Zeinab was the person who insisted that she needed something to do because she couldn't keep sitting around. This is so important and I feel a lot people don't realize that most folks want to work/contribute to their communities however they can. It gives them a sense of purpose, a goal, and independence! I've worked with many clients who get a great deal of satisfaction out of "helping" in their communities, one way or another. Overall, I think it sends the message that they are valuable members of society and are important to those around them. Vocational rehab programs in the area offer support in finding jobs, but I wonder if there are programs that also connect individuals with things like volunteering?
Luke, having healthy relationships while enstilling a sense of belonging and opportunities creates a sense of self-worth. We all are human and having a purpose with goals gives an individual something to look forward too. The barrier to this is with individuals who struggle building relationships, as those connections might look different. Also, we can't help any individual with lack of motivation. They have to want to work for something or to create a better life for themselves.
DeleteI also believe that fostering that independence is important for the client to feel as if they have autonomy in the community.I will say there is a downfall to this in that there are programs that do offer services to their clients and make these things readily available, but still the services are not utilized. I believe that the main issue is that of lack of education as to what the services provide as well as lack of incentive to participate in said services. Motivating clients with MI can be challenging therefor at times needs to be the main focus.
DeleteI think there is great power in community. It is a primal need to feel like you belong to a "tribe." So often individuals with MI feel ostracized by society, so fostering a sense of inclusivity and community is vital, I think, for helping them to cope with some of the challenges that come with MI.
DeleteAddams’ pointed out that sometimes just having a trusting relationship with a client is not enough but to go a step further and offer up resources and supports a client can access. There is a huge lack of resources in general and this is discussed and seen in the film. I believe that even something as small as a mobile outreach would be beneficial in many areas of the state which would bring the resources directly to the people in need, there is some outreach in place but not nearly enough. By getting into the community and talking with people it opens the doors to new opportunities for them and lets them what’s available to them and in my experiences most people don’t even what resources are out there so this could be a game changer for some.
ReplyDeleteVessa, this is a great idea! I think awareness of supports/opportunities is a major obstacle to help for any issue, especially mental illness treatment/recovery, so being mobile and proactive would likely be effective. An obstacle I might predict is the building of trust that can be a challenge regardless of the setting, but might be compounded by personnel just showing up someplace and convincing the residents of that place that they're safe and that you're there to help.
DeleteHi Vessa, I think a mobile outreach is a great idea that could have a huge positive impact for people. I think this could be especially true in rural areas (like much of Maine) where public transportation is not available. This could help people have positive face-to-face interaction with others, in addition to receiving access to needed services. One potential obstacle could be funding, as a mobile outreach would likely be more expensive compared to offering a hub of services in a service-center town or city.
DeleteVessa, great idea around supporting awareness of community opportunities. By exploring options together it can strengthen a relationship while fostering community connections. Engaging in their community is key to feeling a part of it.
DeleteHi Vessa,
DeleteThis is a very great idea. I agree with your statement about the lack of resources available and the need for supporting awareness of community opportunities. Having an outreach can have a significantly positive impact for people. Luke made a good point about how this can benefit in rural areas. Having this positive interaction can be an essential part in feeling connected and feeling apart of the community.
I agree that outreach is so so important. It ould not only benefit the people with mental illness, but the wider community. Everyone has something to share and to contribute, but when people with mental illnesses have no knowledge of or access to the resources they need to help support them, the person gets no chance to share their potential the community never gets to see it.
DeleteThe idea that I think facilitates positive change within people with mental illness living in a community/settlement house, like Fountain House, is the notion that the relationship is reciprocal. As Ester presents right at the beginning of the documentary, "you're too important to us, you're part of the family now." The residents are there for their own recovery and benefit. They are also there for the benefit of each other and the staff. Everyone involved has something to offer one another and that idea is important for productive, dependable, unconditional relationships. That's what makes a community. As Jane Addams 100 years ago established, "the dependence of classes on each other is reciprocal," (Davidson et al., 2010, p. 77). A diagnoses, as we've sadly reviewed in the first two weeks of this class, has been a stamp on an individual that they are of a lesser class.
ReplyDeleteHi Eamon, I like how you highlighted the important points of reciprocity and that we all have something to offer (or learn from) one another. I think this is very true, however the stigma of mental illness may be an obstacle for this to be embraced by society as a whole. I think the film demonstrated the importance of visibility of people with MI within the community, and also the importance of facilitating positive engagement with others for people with MI within the community.
DeleteHi Eamon,
DeleteI loved Esther's attitude! She was very straightforward with the clients and I got the sense that she had no doubts about any of their abilities to succeed in that setting. As we talked about the first week, hope is absolutely integral to positive outcomes and I think the staff at Fountain House really supported an environment of hope. This is then further strengthened by the focus on getting people connected to jobs, peers, and roommates to ensure they really feel that they are a part of the community.
Eamon, great job highlighting the importance of relationships being reciprocal. Sometimes being direct and saying things for face value can help individuals move forward. Personality conflicts can occur at times and can be hard for staff or individuals to build a relationship with someone else. I think it is important for individuals to recognize this if it happens before it affects treatment opportunities.
DeleteI do like the idea of reciprocity and accountability within the treatment model that Esther was taking part in. I too feel that it is an important part of treatment and recovery as we speak of with MI. The downfalls to this are only in the details. There are times when individuals diagnosed with MI will not know what to do and not know how to handle their new norm, it is up to the professionals then to guide the client to model ways of engaging in the community.
DeleteJane Addams emphasized the importance of community and peer connections, and we see this supported at Fountain House. What seemed to be really effective for most of the clients was having a purpose - having a job, contributing to their community, and forming relationships. At one point, Frances is part of a cookout in the local park and says to the camera person, "..then you come to Fountain House and you feel more like a person, because you're being treated as a person". I found this statement to be so powerful. Perhaps the best thing we an do for individuals with MI is to speak to them and treat them like we would treat anyone else. Provide resources and support in a least-restrictive environment. I saw a lot of examples in the film of staff members offering support to clients, but never being overbearing or making assumptions about what clients could and could no do. It was really lovely, and a nice change from the documentary on Bellevue!
ReplyDeleteHi Emily, I like the point you made about the importance of having a purpose and the example of having a job. In the film Frances was able to work in an administrative position requesting time-in and time-out for employees. One obstacle that seems to be increasing is automation taking away entry-level administrative jobs. For example, HR software for employees now has the ability to automatically require employees to enter their time-in and time-out online, can send email reminders if this is not done by a certain day/time, and then can send an email to a supervisor if it is not done by a second day/time – therefore rendering the type work Frances was doing unnecessary. I wonder what the impact of increasing automation on entry level administrative jobs (or other jobs) will have on the availability of opportunities for people with MI who are trying to find a job and build their skills and experience.
DeleteHi Emily ,
DeleteYou did a great job with your post, connecting parts of the film and reading to develop a great idea. You emphasized the importance to speak to individuals with MI and treat them like we would treat any one else. Providing resources and support as well is extremely important for the integration into the community and providing opportunities. I agree with your statement about how this film was a nice change from the documentary on Bellevue.
Hi Emily,
DeleteThat was a powerful statement. It is also a common theme that I thought of when reading about Jane Addams. Treating other humans as humans is such a simple concept yet so many people struggle with it.
Thanks,
Danielle
Emily, I love that you brought up the part about Frances in the park. I stopped and "rewound" that part to make sure I wrote down exactly what was said. This to me was the epitome of what Fountain House stood for, "feeling more like a person because you are treated as a person". It seems like such a simple act to do.
DeleteHi Emily, I totally agree with you that seeing this approach in comparison to Bellevue was really wonderful. It restored my hope. The difference that can be made by just treating people like people, with their own individual skills and values and wants is noticeable. Fountain house knows this simple fact and the good they've done because if it is wonderful.
DeleteCommunity and forming meaningful connections are key to living a healthy life as a human in general, so it makes sense that it would also help individuals with MI recover. It is amazing to me that society ever thought hiding these individuals away, ostracizing them, and secluding them would help them to overcome challenges related to their mental health. Having a sense of inclusion, love, and support is integral to feeling secure and loved.
DeleteI can think of a few things that come to mind that facilitate positive change for people with MI living in their community. Relationships that instill trust, respect, while emphasizing compassion through listening. This needs to occur not just with patients with MI, but with the staff and neighbors in the community too. Addams discussed how to be “transparent about who they were (i.e. not pretending to be poor)” (Davidson, Rakfeldt and Strauss, 2010 Chp 3, p 75). By supporting individuals to “pursue one’s own happiness; the need for pleasure, enjoyment and a sense of personal meaning and purpose in life; the need for social relationships and to have a sense of belonging to a community and the need for the shared rituals and rhythms of collective life” (Davidson, Rakfeldt, and Strauss, 2010 Chp 3 p 83) individuals quality of life is increased.
ReplyDeleteThe Foundation House modeled a socially appropriate environment where individuals could establish connections to peers and their community. They were peers instead of being referred to as patients. Foundation house utilized listening and compassion as a form of caring. Francis’s story was very touching and displayed the importance of relationships even through a tough time. The sense of feeling a part of something where you belong and fit in creates a sense of hope and a positive outlook. The MI stigmas are less seen when you are in a caring environment.
Lauren- I think this idea is a great one on focusing on building relationships of trust. As amazing as that sounds, it is quite hard when I actually think about it for this has to be done one person at a time. This is also assuming that they are not interacting with other providers who are not following the same standards. Within one environment though, I totally see where you are coming from on how this could be so beneficial! If all staff and providers of one place have that be the main focus; I can see that impacting incredibly for it is more likely to become well-known and spoken about in the community. That would also be a great place when implemented with positive relationships on having research done there to help spread the word on what an impact it can make to an individuals recovery.
DeleteLauren, I really like the idea of community members being involved and supportive. I think this is a really important way in which community based programs work. Having buy in from neighbors can only create a more supportive and respectful environment. I also love that you brought up how the members of Fountain House were called peers and not patients. I did not touch on this but I think it is such a huge factor. This was not a hospital but a community and being called members or peers helps to remove the stigma.
DeleteMorgan and Judi, relationships start the foundation work with individuals but can be very difficult to build with consumers. It appeared the amount of consumers in Foundation House was regulated and met by multiple service providers. This must have supported their success with some consumers. Being it is a community based program by having support and or and understanding from neighbors or businesses it only makes a community stronger and supportive. The idea of not labeling and utilizing relationships as is; peers instead of patients helps the process for the consumer to see they are more than their disability.
DeleteGreat comments!
“Begin to assume responsibility for redressing ‘the inequalities of the human lot’” (Davidson, 2010, p. 67). My biggest idea as an inspiration from Jane Adams and the film is to advocate to hear from the individuals with mental illness themselves. Only they can actually detail out what those shared experiences are like for this population and to try to speak on their behalf helps yes, but, it doesn't have the same influential effect. Every time I get to watch videos of personal stories it opens my eyes even further than before. The goal is to get society to understand what it is like to watch in their shoes and feel some empathy. By doing this, it can make a person think twice before making a snap judgement from underlying stigmas, stereotypes, and prejudice. To have the next person speak up for when they see injustice happen. When hearing individuals stories, it can help others see the impact of what this treatment does to someone long term. Furthermore, it can assist society in seeing the value of going through such experiences and managing to still make something of their lives. This population contributes to society in ways that the majority of people just don't understand and aren't willing to explore. Respect is what we should all be feeling! I see this as not just a problem for those with mental illness but those with any disabling condition. More videos, stories posted, news coverage, online access on frequent sites, television, etc.
ReplyDeleteHi Morgan, I agree that watching personal accounts of experience is incredibly powerful. I think that stigma is founded in the unknown and assumption. When I hear individual stories, it reminds me that we're all human and most of us have a common purpose of loving and being loved.
DeleteGreat post,
Danielle
“Their first task was to make the Hull House a warm and welcoming home, not only for themselves but also for any neighbor who might choose to stop by” (Davidson, et al. pg 74). Jane Addams and her friend Ellen Starr worked to make the Hull House safe and relatable. They didn’t buy expensive decorations and they decorate out of pity either. It appears that these two women were genuine in their desire to be people among people. The Foundation House is much like I imagine the Hull House was with it’s day to day operations. The foundation House gave people with mental illness a comfortable place to belong. It allowed people to be them selves and the staff appeared to make themselves visible and approachable. Both houses fostered community and gave people with mental illness a place to contribute to as best they could.
ReplyDeleteI like this model and see that it works because it allows people to buy into their own recovery. It sets them up to feel a part of a community. I’m sure it’s difficult at times because it places many people with serve mental illnesses in one place all the time. As the video showed, there can be a flaring of tempers and if one person struggles, it can cause the entire community to struggle.
Danielle- I really like this perspective that you shared. I get mixed emotions when I see the money put into decorations sometimes where its like you can do a lot with a little. When it comes to resources in mental health; they are minimal to say the least where it really needs to be focused on the services themselves and not 'appearance'. The way these programs were operated were smart and gave me the impression of person-centered. A place where people feel valued and are put at the top priority assisting through struggles:)
DeleteProviding a space for people with MI to be themselves and treated with respect and dignity is one of the most important things a community can do, like Fountain House did. However, there is a need to go further as Jane Addams lobbied for, supports and services to help those with MI to become functioning community members. Removing a person from the environment that could be creating more issues and being a contributor to tiggers for MI and being in a place where you feel free to be who you are and figure out what you are passionate about in a supportive way can feel so freeing and allow someone to truly evolve. I would love to see a community center where people with MI could come and participate in support groups where they share the things they are doing and what is helping or even to talk about those things that are not. As well there could be career advisors and help finding employment based on their interests and education opportunities. I think it would also be helpful to have housing placement be part of this community center to really provide a safe space for members to grow.
ReplyDeleteI know this idea would work because there are supports already in place similar to this, such as the Looking Ahead Clubhouse in Auburn, Maine. Allowing individuals to be in a place where their illness or disability doesn't matter would be ideal. The only problems that I could see are problems that any implementation could face: transportation to and from, time, financial support, and member participation. Great idea overall!
DeleteFountain house fills the need for community and purpose that Addams spoke of the need for. at the very beginning of the documentary it states that the people there are not treated as patients but " as co-workkers, neighbors, and friends". From the beginning the people there are treated as individuals equal to everyone else with their own skills and value they can put into the world. Not being treated like outsiders gives anyone a sense of belonging and thats incredibly important for everyone, especially marginalized groups like the mentally ill. Seeing such a loving, supportive, and hopeful environment for people with MI was really refreshing and encouraging to see after last week's delve into Bellevue. It would be wonderful to see places like this become the standard of care when it comes to helping people return to the community, but I think it could go even further. One of my close friend's family runs a business that helps individuals with MI find jobs that suit their individual goals, needs, and personality types, and help them get the resouses and representation they need in order to satay working. Seeing a program like this implemented more widely would be wonderful. They cater to the people of my small home town and have done so much good there. The good that could be done with similar programs in bigger cities could be mindblowing.
ReplyDeleteHello! I like the idea of this program. As we learning in many of our classes and potentially in our jobs currently, for individuals with and without mental illness having a purpose in life is extremely important to an individuals sense of purpose. Often times individuals are provided jobs that are meaningless and are not something they are even interested in, so giving them a say would be really great. One barrier that could potentially pop up would be finding local partners willing to provide jobs and transportation.
DeleteWhile supported housing and employment are extremely important and useful in the lives of individuals with mental illness, one thing that I have noticed that is lacking is conversations between individuals and professionals. I propose planned open discussions and dialogues with different professionals (political, medical, etc.) to discuss all the important topics that individuals want to discuss. In the video there was one individual who felt really empowered being able to speak to politicians and participate in rallies, and I think opening the floor for individuals to speak their mind and ask questions cannot only bring about change but allow them to be empowered. Another implementation that I would like to see would be access to medical clinics for health care. In the video, an individual was diagnosed with a tumor. Following this diagnosis, I wondered how often he went to a doctor’s office for a simple checkup. Surely, this kind of an appointment would have alerted a medical professional of this type of issue. For individuals with mental illness who are homeless are less likely to have access to medical care, causing untreated medical problems to go unnoticed.
ReplyDeleteThe one thing that I believe is paramount to illicit change in an individual is the relationship between the clinician and the client. This is something that is formed with trust and compassion, therefore very powerful for the individual. With that relationship comes many connections to the community for the individual. The relationship can foster other relationships with other services that the clinician refers the client to. This gives the client the ability to trust what the clinician is saying and the advice they are setting forth for the client. Being part of a whole is very important for members of a community, so allowing that collaboration between support systems and client is very important. Working off the clients strengths to motivate the client to change behaviors and become that part of the community therefore encouraging more independent communication in the future.
ReplyDeleteSarah, I wholeheartedly echo your assessment that a positive, trusting relationship between clinician and client is the key to success. I think your ideas about how one close relationship can foster other relationships within the community would certainly prove to work, especially considering the statistic that states over 70% of people obtained their current employment position through networkng. Social networking is a powerful thing! A barrier to consider would be the fact that not all clinicians/clinical programs engage in interdisciplinary collaboration, and they may not have the knowledge of local service availability to refer clients appropriately.
DeleteI believe that a positive, trusting relationship between a client and professional is extremely important to have. I also believe that advocacy plays a significant role as well. Individuals with MI just want to be treated as a human being, not be defined/labeled by their illness. Having support from the community, and society needs to understand this. Empowering individuals with MI to use their voice. Resources are important as well, and there needs to be more of those provided as well as services. Treating the individuals as individuals with their own set of strengths and goals is extremely important as well, which the film shows. Providing a safe and comfortable environment is important as well, allowing this space can be extremely beneficial. Addams believed that "human beings need more than food and shelter in order to live truly human lives, to flourish rather than simply survive...in addition the need for freedom to exercise one's agency and pursue one's own view of happiness and the need for social relationships and to have a sense of belonging to a community" (Davidson et al., p. 83). I find this to be very true. Having these relationships and having a purpose and sense of belonging are amazing things that keep you going to empower and motivate you.
ReplyDeleteHi, Stephanie! Great points! I especially appreciate your mention of people experiencing mental illness simply wanting to be treated as any other human being. I find it interesting how indifferent or "normal" people act towards those who have not disclosed a mental illness. Once the information is out, however, the interactions seem to change completely. It's again, as you stated, that people experiencing mental illness do not want to be defined by their mental illness, but that's what usually happens. Every interaction is now viewed in front of a diagnosis. This is a striking point to keep in mind when interacting with others. On the other hand, since some people don't have the luxury of whether to disclose their diagnosis or not for various reasons, I wonder if there would be a time when not addressing the diagnosis or mental illness as a whole would be a detriment. When the client is refusing care or in an acute state without an emergency care plan, perhaps?
DeleteIndividualized, strength based treatment is so important and proven to be effective! Barriers to this approach include large, unmanageable case loads as a result of under staffing. In these situations providers do not have enough time or energy to appropriately serve all of their clients and therefore "cookie-cutter" treatment plan emerge.
DeleteHi Emily & Mariah
DeleteYou guys both make great points and suggestions back to my post. Emily-I agree with your point about not addressing the diagnosis or mental illness as a whole would be a detriment. This is very important to note and you ask a very good question as well-- I will have to think on that one.
Mariah- I appreciate your comments back to my post. I agree with your statement of various barriers that come with individualized, strength based treatment plans. There needs to be more resources and some relief on the providers so we can eventually provide these treatments to the best of our abilities.
When considering Jane Addams’ ideas of acceptance, personal relationships, and community togetherness/belonging combined with examples of this in action at the Hull House and the Fountain House, I attempted to think of an activity or service that is not frequently offered, yet had the potential to bring plentiful positive change to those who participated. I am a practical person so my mind immediately started thinking about activities that had the opportunity to address physical/financial needs, as well as build social relationships based on respect, trust, and a common goal. This is when I landed on the idea for horticulture classes to be offered at community based agencies such as the Fountain House. Learning to grow food provides a practical skill which can be used to feed oneself with limited costs, and could even provide a source of income if individuals become skilled enough to grow large quantities of produce to sell in their communities. In such a case the community and the individual would both greatly benefit. In addition to horticulture classes where people can learn to grow and maintain gardens I think it would be beneficial to include units on local botany and seasonal influences on growing food based on the geographical location in which the class is being taught. A community garden would be a part of this program, and maybe even a program in which individuals can apply for funds to start their own personal gardens. The teaching methods utilized in this program should be trauma informed, and be flexible to allow for any necessary accommodations. Many may find that horticulture can be used as a form of selfcare. I also think the act of promoting growth and nurturing life, even in the form of vegetables, can be a powerful and even spiritual experience. As people watch their gardens grow, let them also be aware of their own personal growth and let them be proud of themselves and their accomplishments. But most importantly this class should be a safe space where people can be themselves, be accepted for who they care, and engage in meaningful relationships within their communities.
ReplyDeleteHi, Mariah! Thanks for sharing your thoughts! A horticulture class sounds like an amazing idea! (Can I join?!?) I also like the idea of using gardening specifically under the lens of self-care. There are so many opportunities to overlap constructive conversations about growth with the physical act of sowing and reaping. I wonder what other, similar options might be in areas with significant weather concerns (heat/cold for lengthy periods of time). Indoor gardens in pots? I would hate for the success of the program to be limited to a few months a year with so many benefits.
DeleteI was truly inspired by Jane Addams’ story. She not only sought to fill a need within her community but set a strong example of what humility looks like in action. Despite her inheritance and ability to relocate to be within the community, her greatest strength was in her mindset and worldview. “Her primary asset, though, might have been her genuine sense of humility in acknowledging how little she did know and in accepting what was at that time – and apparently and unfortunately continues to this day to be – a radical notion: that she could learn primarily from the affected people themselves” (Davidson et al., 2010). Addams’ model of living within the community, supporting neighbors with voiced needs within a reciprocal relationship, provides an invaluable example of what community outreach should look like. This may be common practice than I realize, but I am excited by the idea of locations such as the Fountain House. Based on the video West 47th Street, Fountain House not only provides housing needs and connections to community resources but also fills many specific employment and medical needs onsite. For improvement’s sake, I wonder what the impact would be if the Fountain House idea expanded to include an entire housing development. Instead of the one building being misconstrued as another attempt at an institution, the clients could be part of a community built with parks, sidewalks, activities, and a clubhouse. The clubhouse could also serve as onsite medical doctors, employment specialists, therapists, and exercise coordinators to support a holistic type of health. Perhaps a wider community could provide a sense of inclusion and pride as a positive advocate for people experiencing mental illness.
ReplyDeleteOn a more personal note, I resonated with Addams’ experiences to my very core. I have had a specific outreach in the back of my mind for years now, first thinking I was not yet educated enough, then wanting to get settled in Maine and make new connections, then waiting on COVID-19 to run its course, etc. There always seems to be just one more thing that needs to fall into place before I will be completely ready. This line of thinking – what Addams’ refers to as the “snare of preparation” – is a trap. In her experience, “The only way to truly escape from this internal merry-go-round of idleness and condemnation would be to act” (Davidson et al., 2010). I felt the truth in these words.
Davidson, L., Rakfeldt, J., & Strauss, J. (2010). The roots of the recovery movement in psychiatry: Lessons learned. Hoboken, N.J.: Wiley-Blackwell.
I think that a community oriented approach can help individuals with MI to recover. Addams' model of living within a community is an exemplary example of how individuals can support one another and lessen the social determinants that contribute to MI in our society. Factors such as low socioeconomic status, social exclusion, low education, and poor neighborhoods can contribute to developing a mental illness (Shim et al, 2014). Cultivating a strong community that helps to offset these factors can greatly contribute to recovery (Shim et al, 2014). Jane Addams emphasized the importance of peer support and connections as well as addressing the inequities that exist for many people (Davidson, 2010). The Fountain House exemplified the Addams' model by providing a safe haven where participants are treated as equals and as community members rather than as clients. The Fountain House further embodies the Addams model of community by creating an environment where the clients are there not only for their own recovery but to help others with their recovery as well.
ReplyDeleteAdditionally, I think that cultivating a sense of purpose is integral to healing and overcoming MI. In the film Zeinab, for example, was able to cook for community members, which gave her a sense of purpose and a means of contributing to others.
References
Davidson, L., Rakfeldt, J., & Strauss, J. (2010). The roots of the recovery movement in psychiatry: Lessons learned. Hoboken, N.J.: Wiley-Blackwell.
Shim, R., Koplan, C., Langheim, F. J., Manseau, M. W., Powers, R. A., & Compton, M. T. (2014). The social determinants of mental health: An overview and call to action. Psychiatric Annals, 44(1), 22-26.