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

• Melissa
• Wes
• Diann
• John