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Previous research has mainly focused on self‐harm among women, defining what it is, what functions it has, how to manage and prevent self‐harm, and how to recover from it. A recent review of the literature on self‐harm among men concluded that research need to consider both clinical and personal aspects of recovery and pointed out the need to explore recovery from men's point of view. This study aimed to describe men's experiences of recovery in self‐harm. Data were collected in Sweden in 2020 using semi‐structured interviews. Eleven men who had recovered in self‐harm were interviewed. Interviews were analysed using an abductive approach to qualitative content analysis. The analysis involved the application of an established framework for personal recovery in mental illness: connectedness, hope, identity, meaning, and empowerment (CHIME). The analysis identified one main theme: when the time is right, and five sub‐themes: finding support in others; trusting that change is possible; getting to know yourself; reaching a new understanding; and developing new strategies to manage life. While the cessation of self‐harm might both be a sign of and contribute to recovery, it is not the defining feature of recovery. Mental health professionals should be persistent in providing person‐centred, recovery‐oriented care for men who self‐harm. The CHIME framework can be applied in the context of men's recovery in self‐harm. This study is reported in accordance with the COREQ guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As part of mental health reform in Australia, new policies were introduced to support recovery‐oriented practice; however, little has changed in hospital settings focused on managing risk and remediating acute symptoms. Previous studies have indicated that patients' experiences of personal recovery, during a hospital admission, may not mirror that of people living in the community, with patients being more likely to experience disconnection, hopelessness and disempowerment. Using a Participatory Health Research approach, eight mental health professionals, a patient advocate and an external researcher formed a research partnership to answer the question: How can staff enhance recovery‐oriented practice in a hospital‐based mental health service? The COREQ checklist was used for reporting the methods, analysis and findings. The methods comprised patient focus groups (n = 16 participants), interviews with managers (n = 7) and an online survey for staff (n = 17). Researchers analysed the feedback from the consultations using inductive thematic analysis, identifying two themes: relational recovery and recovery interventions. The findings indicate that relational recovery is key to recovery during a hospital admission and interventions that increase connectedness or reduce the impact of symptoms enhance personal recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Australia, acute inpatient units within public mental health services have become the last resort for mental health care. This research explored barriers and facilitators to safe, person‐centred, recovery‐oriented mental health care in these settings. It utilised participant observations conducted by mental health nurses in acute inpatient units. These units were located in three distinct facilities, each serving different areas: a large metropolitan suburban area in a State capital, a mid‐sized regional city, and a small city with a large rural catchment area. Our findings highlighted that, in the three inpatient settings, nurses tended to avoid common areas they shared with consumers, except for brief, task‐related visits. The prioritisation of administrative tasks seemed to arise in a situation where nurses lacked awareness of alternative practices and activities. Consumers spent prolonged periods of the day sitting in communal areas, where the main distraction was watching television. Boredom was a common issue across these environments. The nursing team structure in the inpatient units provided a mechanism for promoting a sense of psychological safety for staff and were a key element in how safety culture was sustained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite integrating the recovery model of care in mental health, mental health professionals still have pessimistic attitudes towards the recovery of people with mental illness. Positive attitudes towards recovery are essential components to integrate recovery‐oriented practices in all areas of mental health. Evidence shows that education and training are effective while emphasising the importance of consumer‐based interventions to enhance recovery attitudes. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of peer‐led education about recovery attitudes towards people with mental illness among Mental Health Nurses working in acute inpatient settings. The methodology used was a sequential explanatory mixed method with pre‐ and post‐test design involving three phases. Phase 1: survey (n = 103), phase 2: post‐test survey immediate (n = 17) and follow‐up (n = 11) and phase 3: in‐depth interviews (n = 12). The results show that Mental Health Nurses have positive recovery attitudes with some room for improvement. Most participants agreed with all items of the Recovery Attitudes Questionnaire. However, the participants had various views on the relationship between faith and recovery. The peer‐led education significantly improved RAQ items 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 statistically. Furthermore, peer‐led education effectively enhanced recovery attitudes immediately after the intervention and helped to maintain sustainable attitudes 3 months later. A qualitative exploration of recovery attitudes revealed three main themes: participants' reflections, recovery hurdles and interpersonal relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

North Korean refugees exposed to traumatic events often experience a high recurrence of post‐traumatic stress disorder symptoms. However, a post‐traumatic growth programme has the potential to transform these traumatic events into increasing post‐traumatic growth, reduced emotional stress and enhanced well‐being. This study investigated the effects of a post‐traumatic growth promotion programme on post‐traumatic stress disorder recovery among North Korean refugees. Using a non‐equivalent control group non‐synchronised pretest–posttest design, 60 North Korean refugees who have been in South Korea for 6–8 or 12–13 years were assigned to the experimental (post‐traumatic growth promotion programme; n = 30) or control group (post‐traumatic growth promotion education brochure; n = 30). The programme comprised group sessions and discussions, each lasting 120 min/session, conducted twice a week for 5 weeks. Mindfulness, anxiety, depression, blood cortisol and post‐traumatic growth were assessed at baseline, immediately after intervention and 4 weeks after intervention. The findings showed the programme was effective in significantly increasing post‐traumatic growth and decreasing anxiety, depression and cortisol level. The two‐way analysis of variance showed a significant interaction between groups and time. Consequently, this post‐traumatic growth promotion programme can be utilised as a non‐invasive, cost‐effective and safe intervention for promoting post‐traumatic growth and well‐being among North Korean refugees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2019, the World Health Organization urged a global shift towards recovery‐focused practices in mental health care. In Western nations, this transition often prioritised individualism over collectivism. In contrast, collectivist societies prioritise recovery through community and social support. This study explored mental health recovery from the perspectives of consumers, carers and registered nurses in a mainly collectivist society (Saudi Arabia) using a qualitative exploratory descriptive design. Sixteen consumers, ten carers and eight registered nurses participated in online semi‐structured interviews. Inductive thematic analysis was employed to analyse English‐translated versions of the 34 interviews. Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative studies 32‐item checklist were used. The study found that recovery was perceived as a process of transforming towards living a meaningful life of goals and values supported by trusted people who share moments of comfort and empowerment. A unique finding was the 'bond of recovery' a collectivist value that aid consumers' community integration in society. Saudi consumers' experiences of recovery were similar to consumers' movement narratives of recovery. Future research should establish a recovery‐focused educational program that incorporates our findings into a recovery‐oriented approach. This will facilitate providing a collaborative care between consumers, carers and nurses that centres around consumers' recovery goals and values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High‐risk behaviours are sometimes encountered in Child and Adolescent inpatient mental health units and can prompt the use of coercive practices to maintain safety. Coercive practices may lead to re‐traumatisation of young people and deteriorating therapeutic relationships. Trauma‐informed practice (TIP) has successfully reduced coercive practices. While education is identified as foundational to implementation, evaluations of programmes remain minimal. The aim of this study was to explore mental health professionals' views and experiences of a trauma‐informed education programme and its likely impact on their approach to practice. Five mental health professionals agreed to participate, four contributed in a focus group and one in an individual interview. Data were analysed thematically using the Braun and Clarke Framework. Three main themes were identified. Firstly, shifting attitudes and perceptions of trauma‐informed practice. Participants believed they had developed more compassion towards clients and these attitudes were reflected in their clinical practice. Secondly, challenges associated with trauma‐informed practice educational intervention. Staffing issues and shift work made it difficult for participants to attend education sessions regularly. Participants identified barriers to practicing in a trauma‐informed manner in the current clinical environment. Finally, the need for interdisciplinary communication and support was identified. Participants saw the need for all professionals, not only nurses, to take responsibility for changing practice, and for stronger support at the organisational level. Trauma‐informed practice is crucial to recovery‐focused mental health nursing practice. These findings highlight the importance of TIP education and suggest areas for further improvement to enhance positive mental health outcomes for young people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Risk management which assesses and mitigates risks such as suicide and violence is under scrutiny, particularly within psychiatric inpatient settings. Restrictive practices, which result from risk assessment, such as observations, physical restraint and ward seclusion can impact negatively on patient recovery, hindering abilities to develop a meaningful life that emphasizes purpose, hope and autonomy, despite experiencing mental distress. Yet, less is known about the impact from the patient's perspective when first admitted to hospital, a period which among other reasons may come with increasing risk management practices owing to the clinical uncertainties about patient risks. In this grounded theory study, we explore the impact on recovery, interviewing 15 adult participants with patient experiences of being in an acute hospital. The main theme of the study, termed a core category with a grounded theory, was identified as "ontological insecurity of inattentiveness". This highlighted a staff inattentiveness with involving patients with risk management and explaining the purposes of the practice, which raised insecurities about what was happening to the patients when admitted to hospital. Four subcategories support the core category; discounting the patients' experiences to gain a meaningful grasp of risk management, ambiguity about risk management rules, particularly the reasons around their use, forebodingness to the hospital environment and, management from afar, with patients feeling scrutinized from observations without a voice to offer different views. It is hoped these findings will add to the field of patient involvement in psychiatric inpatient settings, proposing attempts to raise understanding and inclusivity of risk management, starting when first admitted to hospital. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The strengths of model of case management is a recovery‐oriented model of community mental health care that has been linked to positive consumer outcomes. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the consumer perspective of the strengths model of case management using a descriptive phenomenological approach. Data were collected through in‐depth, semi‐structured interviews. In total, six consumers from a metropolitan community mental health service were interviewed. Interview transcripts were analysed using Colaizzi's phenomenological method. Three major themes were identified: the relationship between the consumer and the case manager is valuable, the strengths assessment supports identifying strengths and areas for action and the strengths model of case management promotes recovery and goal achievement. Implications for practice include an increased understanding of consumer preferences and promoting the consumer voice, thereby supporting the provision of higher quality evidence‐based practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Goal‐setting is a tool that empowers consumer recovery. Though the pandemic has affected consumer goal‐setting, the nature and extent of this impact have not been examined in a recovery setting. The aim of this study is to assess whether the recovery goals of individuals with serious mental illness changed in association with the COVID‐19 pandemic. In this mixed‐methods design, data were collected from a purposeful sample of consumers (nTOTAL = 355) aged 19–67 years (MAGE = 44.56, SD = 13.05) attending Recovery Camp, a 5‐day therapeutic‐recreation programme for individuals living with severe mental illness (e.g., PTSD, schizophrenia). Consumer‐set goals were examined across 5 programmes prior to March 2020 (nPRE = 126) and 11 following (nPOST = 229). Goals were set on day one, with attainment self‐scored on day five. Chi‐squared goodness‐of‐fit tests compared goal proportions per domain; tests of independence assessed changes in goals pre‐ and post‐pandemic. Six goal domains were identified: Approach‐Based Recovery, Avoidance‐based Recovery, Novel Physical Activities, Relationships, Health, and Recreation/Relaxation. Irrespective of the pandemic, goal attainment was consistently high across all programmes (86.56%). Approach‐based Recovery goals were predominant pre‐pandemic, but were significantly reduced post‐pandemic (p = 0.040). Goals related to Relationships and Novel Physical Activities took precedence throughout the pandemic. Post‐COVID‐19, consumer recovery goals reveal increased desire for connection, novelty‐seeking, and positive behavioural change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the relevance and timeliness of a study exploring mental health nurses' attitudes and practices related to recovery-focused care in acute inpatient units. It appreciates the novel use of non-participation observation methods to capture micro-affirmations in nurse-consumer interactions, emphasizing the importance of these moments in fostering meaningful conversations and supporting consumers' self-determination and empowerment.