People recover from mental illnesses every day. For some people, recovery means a complete elimination of their symptoms. For others, it may mean successfully managing their illness and living a full and meaningful life.
The Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) describes recovery as a
process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential.
Recovery can change the a person's quality of life by offering a satisfying, hopeful, and productive life in spite of limits caused by
the illness.
Four dimensions support recovery
- Health overcome or manage one's disease and livie in a physically and emotionally healthy way
- Home a stable and safe place to live
- Purpose meaningful daily activities such as a job, education, volunteering, family connections, or creative activity, and independence, income, and other resources to participate in society
Community
relationships and social networks that provide support, friendship, love, and hope
Recovery is a deeply personal and unique process of changing one's attitudes, values, self-concept, and goals. It is finding ways to live a hopeful, satisfying, active, and contributing life.
Below are a few recovery success stories from Chester County residents
Stories of Success