Mentis Assist Mental Health Practitioners support people to utilise and build on their personal strengths, resourcefulness and resilience and are responsive to their unique circumstances, needs and preferences.

Our understanding of Recovery

• Sees the person as a whole including their mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing
• Is a dimension beyond rehabilitation and involves transformation and rediscovery of self
• Is a unique (individual) journey embracing the past, present and future
• Is insightful of possibilities, building on strengths and hopes.

Clinical vs Personal Recovery

‘Clinical recovery is an idea that has emerged from the expertise of mental health professionals, and involves getting rid of symptoms, restoring social functioning, in other words ‘getting back to normal’ [Whereas] Personal recovery is an idea that has emerged from the expertise of people with lived experience of mental illness.’ (Mike Slade, 2009). Anthony (1993) describes personal recovery as ‘a deeply personal, unique process of changing one’s attitudes, values, feelings, goals, skills, and/or roles. It is a way of living a satisfying, hopeful and contributing life, even within the limitations caused by illness.’

Recovery-Orientated Practice

Recovery-orientated practice is a partnership where the person with the ‘lived experience’ of mental illness is the expert in their recovery and our mental health practitioners bring their understanding and expertise to support this journey.

Clients are assigned a mental health practitioner or peer practitioner who will support them to gain a greater understanding of ‘who they are’ and to discover their goals and hopes for the future. The practitioner will assist the client to develop an Individual Recovery Plan (which outlines goals, timeframes and who is responsible) and their ‘Wellness Plan’ (which identifies signs you are becoming unwell and reminds you who you can call on for extra support).

Practitioners ‘walk alongside’ supporting, guiding and problem-solving to assist the client work towards achieving their chosen recovery goals. We assist clients to identify and utilise their strengths and assist them to build upon their skills and challenges and improve relationships with their family and friends to become more supportive and self-sufficient. Mentis Assist believes that clients need to engage in meaningful activities of their choice i.e. study, employment, support groups, sport, interest groups or reigniting old friendships and will assist clients to do so.