A NEW 30-minute film which tells the story of six journeys of recovery has been launched to help service users and carers living with a mental illness.
Ingrid Stewart, mental health wellbeing and inclusion specialist at the Southern Health and Social Care Trust, explains: “Recovery focuses on a person’s right to build a meaningful, satisfying and fulfilling life with or without the continuing presence of mental ill health. For Caroline, Ian, Alan, Barbara, Lorna and Rory who feature in the film, recovery is about rediscovering a positive identity, taking responsibility and regaining ownership over their lives.”
The Recovery In Action film is a joint venture between the Southern Trust Mental Health Forum – a group of service users and carers – and the Northern Ireland Association for Mental Health (Niamh).
Professor Peter McBride, chief executive of Niamh, commented: “This film is a very powerful representation of the recovery journey for people who have experienced mental ill health, giving a voice to those who are often marginalised by society and showing that with the right support and help, there is light at the end of the tunnel.”
The Southern Trust’s chair Roberta Brownlee added: “This film captures poignant and powerful personal stories and will encourage individuals and their carers to take control of their illness and manage their conditions.”
Health minister Edwin Poots endorsed the film and said that Recovery is being embedded in mental health services across Northern Ireland.
“I fully support the principle of Recovery which is about empowering people to understand and cope with mental illness and help them live fulfilling lives in their communities,” he commented.
“Poor mental health is known to be associated with physical ailments. Ignoring or neglecting mental health problems can lead to physical health problems and people are encouraged to talk and share their feelings. This is one of the key proposals in my Department’s Transforming Your Care Review.”
The Transforming Your Care report was published in December 2011 and proposes a new future model of health and social care focusing on the needs of patients that will increase patient involvement and put prevention and management of a range of conditions, especially in early intervention, as the central point.
Funding for the film was provided by Public Health Agency under the Mental Health Strategy ‘The Live & Learn Project’ and the Northern Ireland Association for Mental Health.