Advancement of a Recovery-Based Practice

People can recover from even the most serious and persistent mental illnesses (SPMI), such as schizophrenia, major depression or bi-polar disorder.  Studies suggest that 90% of individuals recover or significantly improve when provided the appropriate treatments and support systems.  Over the last 30 years, an unwavering effort to use more effective and lower cost alternatives to long-term institutionalization led to psychiatric rehabilitation services.  Psychiatric rehabilitation promotes a culture of recover with every individual served.

Psychiatric rehabilitation is a combination of services incorporating social, educational, occupational, behavioral and cognitive interventions aimed at long-term recovery and maximization of self-sufficiency.  It is the principle behind numerous evidenced-based practices, such as assertive community treatment and supported employment services, as well as emerging practices, such as peer support programs.  In the continuum of care, rehabilitation focuses on competency, recovery and empowerment, while inpatient and partial hospitalization focuses on symptom stabilization, and case management and counseling focuses primarily on support and maintenance.  The goal of psychiatric rehabilitation is to restore an individual's ability for independent living, socialization and, managing the symptoms of  their mental illness.  Psychiatric rehabilitation services respond directly to the high risks that many persons with serious and persistent mental illness experience of repeated hospitalizations, high utilization of emergency room services, low levels of functioning in the community, homelessness, and unemployment.  Studies show that through the use of psychiatric rehabilitation there is a 65% reduction in hospital stays, a 70% decline in homelessness, 70% fewer incarcerations, and an 80% increase in employment.

MassPRA is the state chapter of USPRA.  The New England Chapter, representing all 6 New England states, was founded in 1984 as the third chapter in the organization.  It was converted in 2000 to state chapters, and MassPRA was founded.  We have 18 members of our volunteer board of directors representing DMH staff, providers, people in recovery, VA staff and college faculty.  All are volunteers, with no paid staff support.  Our mission is to increase access to and quality of psychiatric rehabilitation services in support of recovery.  We are not a trade association.  Our activities include the following:

 

	An annual conference:  This year Thursday, October 23th at College of the Holy Cross, Worcester
	Keynote Speaker: TBA
	Free Regional Conversations:  Informal forums on relevant topics held monthly throughout the state
	Psychiatric Rehabilitation Curriculum:  a 1 -2 semester course developed by MassPRA and Boston University, with our board volunteering as instructors
	Disseminating public policy information relevant to mental health, rehabilitation and recovery
	Promoting acceptance and achievement of the Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner (CPRP) credential, and the maintenance of high practice and ethical standards in the field.