title: Self-care in mental health services: a narrative review.
abstract: Self-care is an important approach to the management of long-term health conditions and in preventing ill-health by living a healthy lifestyle. The concept has been used to a limited extent in relation to mental health, but it overlaps with the related concepts of recovery, self-management and self-help. These related concepts all entail individuals having more choice and control over treatment and a greater role in recovery and maintaining their health and well-being. This paper reviews qualitative empirical research that provides information on the nature of self-care in mental health from the perspective of people experiencing mental health problems. Twenty qualitative studies were identified from a systematic search of the literature. The methods used in these studies were critically appraised and key themes across studies identified self-care behaviours and processes supporting self-care. The paper also highlights challenges to this approach in mental health and provides a conceptual framework of the relationships between self-care support, self-care behaviours and strategies, and well-being for the individual. It also highlights limitations in the current evidence base and identifies areas for future research.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Health and Social Care Research, University of Huddersfield, UK. m.lucock@hud.ac.uk
authors.forename: Mike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lucock
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gillard
authors.forename: Katie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.forename: Lucy
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Simons
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Edwards
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy; D008605:Mental Health Services; D008875:Middle Aged; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult