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Recovery college as a transition space in the journey towards recovery: An Australian qualitative study

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  • Eimear Muir‐Cochrane
  • Sharon Lawn
  • John Coveney
  • Sara Zabeen
  • Brenton Kortman
  • Candice Oster

Abstract

Recovery colleges are formal learning programs that aim to support people with a lived experience of mental illness. In this study, we aimed to explore the experiences of participants in a pilot recovery college that opened in Adelaide, South Australia, in 2016. A qualitative exploratory study was conducted involving interviews with learners (n = 8) and focus groups with lived experience facilitators (course facilitators with a lived experience of mental illness, n = 5), Clinician facilitators (mental health service staff facilitators, n = 4), and care coordinators (staff providing case management support, n = 5). Three main themes (hope, identity, and the recovery college as a transition space) and two subthemes (recovery college experience and outcomes) were identified. The results showed that the recovery college provided a transition space for shifting learners' identities from patient to student, facilitated by the experiences and outcomes of the recovery college, providing hope for the future. This study highlights the importance of providing mentally healthy and non‐stigmatizing learning environments to promote and cement recovery for people with a lived experience of mental illness.

Suggested Citation

  • Eimear Muir‐Cochrane & Sharon Lawn & John Coveney & Sara Zabeen & Brenton Kortman & Candice Oster, 2019. "Recovery college as a transition space in the journey towards recovery: An Australian qualitative study," Nursing & Health Sciences, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 21(4), pages 523-530, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:nuhsci:v:21:y:2019:i:4:p:523-530
    DOI: 10.1111/nhs.12637
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    1. Bell, Sarah L. & Foley, Ronan & Houghton, Frank & Maddrell, Avril & Williams, Allison M., 2018. "From therapeutic landscapes to healthy spaces, places and practices: A scoping review," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 196(C), pages 123-130.
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    1. Sara Zabeen & Sharon Lawn & Anthony Venning & Kate Fairweather, 2021. "Why Do People with Severe Mental Illness Have Poor Cardiovascular Health?—The Need for Implementing a Recovery-Based Self-Management Approach," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(23), pages 1-12, November.

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