PSYCHIATRIC REHABILITATION: A FEW RECOVERY NARRATIVES

Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services (PRS) at National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru provides Recovery Oriented Services (ROSeS) to persons with mental illness which promote recovery beyond the mere alleviation of symptoms. A range of vocational sections (bamboo, candle, bakery, printing, mat weaving, tailoring, computer, plastic molding, weaving, leather, craft, horticulture, domestic skills, arts & recreational activities) are available to choose from. PRS is run by a multidisciplinary team comprising of professionals from psychiatry, psychiatric social work, clinical psychology, psychiatric nursing and vocational instructors (for training persons with mental disabilities and families in various vocations). The main objective of PRS is to encourage and empower persons with mental illness and caregivers to lead an independent, productive and dignified life with help of society, industry, community leaders, governmental and nongovernmental agencies. The interventions promote reintegration of clients with mainstream society and improve the quality of life. The stories titled walking the road to recovery, rediscovering happiness, role model supporters, a journey toward wellness, smaller actions mean more than big intentions, and attitudinal barriers in rehabilitation are the recovery narratives of six individuals with mental illness in which they and their caregivers describe how the PRS team provided them with the support needed for recovery. Here the primary focus was on their personal strengths and resources than the deficits and symptoms. However, these narratives are indicative that recovery is possible for most of everyone as it is defined by the individual doing it.