title: Evaluation of mental health recovery and Wellness Recovery Action Planning education in Ireland: a mixed methods pre-postevaluation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report a study evaluating the effectiveness of a Wellness Recovery Action Planning education programme.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Internationally, mental health policy is advocating using recovery approaches to care. Underpinning these approaches is investment in education in recovery principles and methods and a need to provide evidence of the impact of this education.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study design employed a mixed methods approach.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using questionnaires and focus groups, we evaluated 2- and 5-day Wellness Recovery Action Planning Education Programmes and assessed participants' attitudes towards recovery, knowledge of recovery and Wellness Recovery Action Planning beliefs. Data were collected between 2009 and 2010. Participants were people with personal experience of mental health problems, practitioners in mental health services and family members/carers of those with mental health problems.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Comparing the pre and postmeasures showed that the programme increased participants' knowledge of and attitudes towards recovery and Wellness Recovery Action Planning. Although this increase was statistically significant for the 2-day programme, it was not so for the 5-day programme. Participants reported being very positive and enthusiastic about the programme and the benefits they had achieved personally and professionally as a result of participating.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This exploratory study shows that providing mental health practitioners and people with personal experience of mental health problems with a systematic education and training in recovery principles using the Wellness Recovery Action Planning approach leads to positive changes in people's knowledge, skills and attitudes towards recovery. This education appeared to inspire, invigorate and empower people, and for many, it was a life changing experience.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Agnes
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Higgins
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Callaghan
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: DeVries
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Keogh
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Morrissey
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nash
authors.forename: Denis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ryan
authors.forename: Harry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gijbels
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Carter
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017028:Caregivers; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012648:Self Care