The Role of Self-Determination in Mental Health Recovery

Topic: This contribution describes a personal recovery journey and highlights the importance of growth and renewal of self-determination as a critical part of recovery from mental health challenges. Purpose: Five factors that foster the development of self-determination are highlighted and include access to information about treatment and rehabilitation options and resources, support from trusted others, exposure to mentors or coaches who have the lived experience of mental health challenges, willingness to experiment with various interventions and recovery strategies, and opportunities to be engaged in personally meaningful activities such as work, parenting, or teaching. Sources Used: Personal life experiences are shared and resource information is provided as a guide for readers. Conclusions and Implications for Practice: Attention to these factors that foster self-determination by service users, peers, clinicians, teachers, and loved ones may help cultivate self-determination and contribute to the process of recovery.