A recovery-based outreach program in rural Victoria.
OBJECTIVE
A recovery-based outreach program for people with severe mental illness in regional Victoria is described. The paper covers a description of the program, the services provided and outcomes achieved. The program emphasized active collaboration between patients and clinicians as outlined in the collaborative recovery model and recognized that recovery from mental illness is an individual, personal process.


CONCLUSIONS
The program provided service to 108 people over 3 years and had a positive impact on clinicians, patients and carers. The benefits of recovery orientation, multidisciplinary teams, collaborative relationships and carer involvement are discussed. The paper highlights the need for a focus on recovery and comprehensive care for people with severe mental illness.
Prabhu
Radha
R
Centre for Multi Disciplinary Studies, Monash University School of Rural Health, Traralgon, Vic, Australia. radha.prabhu@med.monash.edu.au
Browne
Mark Oakley
MO
D000328:Adult; D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D003159:Community-Institutional Relations; D003289:Convalescence; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D016730:Program Development; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014739:Victoria / Q000453:epidemiology