Eric R. Hardiman

Making sense of it all: consumer providers' theories about factors facilitating and impeding recovery from psychiatric disabilities.

This qualitative study examined the accounts of fifteen adults regarding how they recovered from serious psychiatric disability. Interviews were analyzed using a grounded theory approach within a framework of Symbolic Interactionism. Recovery was identified as a dynamic process of personal growth and transformation. Barriers to recovery included paternalistic and coercive treatment systems, indifferent professionals, side effects from medication, and psychiatric symptoms. The existence of supportive relationships, meaningful activities and effective traditional and alternative treatments were identified as influential in facilitating recovery. The consumer providers who participated in this study provided important findings and fresh understanding about the recovery process.

Community Membership and Social Networks in Mental Health Self-Help Agencies

This article explores community membership among self-help agency (SHA) participants. It is suggested that SHAs foster the enhancement of peer-oriented social networks, leading to the experience of shared community. Social network analysis was used to examine the structure of support mechanisms, and to assess levels of community membership through peer inclusion. Results indicate that both individual and organizational characteristics play roles in predicting peer presence in social networks. Organizational empowerment is a key factor, with the SHA emerging as a promising locus for peer support development through enhanced social networks. Implications for the organization of consumer-based services are discussed.

Mental Health Recovery: A Strengths-Based Approach to Culturally Relevant Services for African Americans

Abstract Strengths-based approaches that emphasize culturally competent services and naturally occurring community support may be more appropriate than traditional mental health services for African American adults with psychiatric disabilities. An examination of the literature on service utilization and treatment needs for this population highlights the paucity of empirical studies in these areas, while an exploration of the literature related to psychiatric recovery, a prominent strengths-based framework, reveals insufficient application of the approach to the specific interests of African American service recipients. We suggest that recovery is in fact highly compatible with such culturally relevant approaches as the Afrocentric model, and argue that the concept of recovery may therefore provide a resonant and particularly useful framework for practice with this population. Implications for research, practice and policy are discussed.

Promoting Healthy Organizational Partnerships and Collaboration Between Consumer-run and Community Mental Health Agencies

Community mental health agencies (CMHAs) and consumer-run agencies (CRAs) both provide critically important services to persons with severe psychiatric disabilities. Emerging research has begun to support the effectiveness of the CRA approach, a newer service delivery mechanism. However, collaboration between the two service systems, when it occurs, is often problematic. This article briefly identifies the core features of CRAs, discusses their potential for collaboration with CMHAs, and suggests ways to promote healthy organizational partnerships between the two based upon the model proposed by Gidron and Hasenfeld [(1994) Nonprofit Management & Leadership, 5(2), 159–172]. Salient collaboration theories are reviewed and barriers to collaboration are discussed. Finally, implications for mental health practice and future research directions are identified.

Referral to Consumer-run Programs by Mental Health Providers: A National Survey

This study describes mental health providers’ awareness of, attitudes toward, and likelihood to refer to consumer-run programs. A mail survey method was used with a total of 301 questionnaires returned (33.5% response rate) from a national random sample. Findings suggest that providers believe consumers are able to provide effective mental health services, yet have less confidence in consumer-run programs. Slightly over half of the providers were aware of consumer-run programs and fewer had made referrals. Providers in non-public settings, agencies that hire consumers as providers, and agencies that collaborate with consumer-run programs were more likely to have made referrals. To maximize available community supports for service recipients, providers should consider newer, consumer-run service technologies.

Deriving Theories of Change from Successful Community Development Partnerships for Youths: Implications for School Improvement

Community development partnerships for youths offer valuable resources for school improvement. Unfortunately, these resources may not be tapped because school leaders have not been prepared to understand these partnerships. The evaluative research reported partnership‐related understanding, aiming to prepare leaders to contribute to, and benefit from, partnerships. This research employed case study methodology to derive theories of change from five successful youth development partnerships. These partnerships’ theories of change provide action‐oriented knowledge for scale‐up in other school communities. Among this research’s other contributions are partnership commonalities, indicators of uniqueness, and partnership classifications. Differences between adult‐led and youth‐led partnerships are especially salient. Expanded improvement planning may incorporate youth leadership and capitalize on resources provided by partnerships.

Professional Differences in Attitudes Toward and Utilization of Psychiatric Recovery

This article examines mental health provider attitudes toward and utilization of psychiatric recovery concepts in practice settings. Comparisons are made between providers from three major professional disciplines (social work, psychology, and psychiatry) surveyed using a national random sample (N = 301). Findings indicate that although there is familiarity with recovery-based principles among providers, and high reported belief in the recovery model, actual utilization of recovery content in practice settings remains mixed. Significant differences between disciplines suggest that psychologists may be less familiar with the recovery model, less likely to see it as a feasible approach for their caseloads, and less likely to emphasize it as a primary goal when working with consumers. Implications for practitioners, policymakers, and planners are provided.

Predictors of Hope Among Members of Mental Health Self-Help Agencies

Abstract Hope is a key construct for successful community adjustment among those with severe mental illnesses, particularly given the strengths-based recovery model increasingly prevalent in mental health services and in social work. Consumer-run mental health self-help agencies (SHAs) are well suited to fostering hope via their supportive program environments. This study examines factors associated with hope among members of four self-help agencies via a two-stage least squares regression model (N =310). Findings provide evidence of both individual and program-level associations with hope. These findings mirror social work ethical values of focusing on consumer strengths and self-determination, which are primary goals of SHAs.

Outreach and peer-delivered mental health services in New York City following September 11, 2001.

OBJECTIVE Following the tragedy of September 11, 2001, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funded Project Liberty, an umbrella program operating from multiple sites throughout New York City to provide free crisis counseling and other assistance. One particular Project Liberty site provided peer support services for individuals with pre-existing psychiatric disabilities. This article reports on the outreach efforts undertaken by Project Libertys Peer Initiative. METHODS As part of a broader qualitative study, face to face interviews were conducted with Project Liberty Peer Initiative staff and service recipients. CONCLUSIONS Outreach was found to be a key strategy used to identify and connect with psychiatrically disabled individuals in need after disasters. Implications for the use of similar outreach strategies in future disaster planning and service delivery are described.