Implementing Psychiatric Rehabilitation in the Mental Health System Services: From Theory to Practice

Psychiatric rehabilitation services incorporate principles of recovery and wellness, community support, person-centred care and active involvement of individuals and families in the behavioural health system and services. Based on the definition from the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association (PRA, formerly USPRA), psychiatric rehabilitation: …promotes recovery, full community integration and improved quality of life for persons who have been diagnosed with any mental health condition that seriously impairs their ability to lead meaningful lives. Psychiatric rehabilitation services are collaborative, person-directed and individualized. These services are an essential element of the health care and human services spectrum, and should be evidence-based. They focus on helping individuals develop skills and access resources needed to increase their capacity to be successful and satisfied in the living, working, learning, and social environments of their choice.