When mental health consumers have access to the right treatment and support services, anything and everything is possible. With each passing day, we see more people in recovery, people who have moved on to successful and often public lives. Many different factors influence their recovery such as treatment options, healthcare coverage, employment, housing, and family and peer support. But the one constant we know is that the more consumers actively participate in each of these areas (and are encouraged to do so), the more they drive their own recovery and the more successful their recovery is. Being active and participatory doesn't necessarily come easy. Dealing with the symptoms of a mental illness while working to rebuild a life can be difficult. To support consumers in reaching recovery in all aspects of their lives, the National Mental Health Association (NMHA) has introduced a new program called Dialogue for Recovery. This program offers consumers, healthcare providers, and family members valuable information and tools that promote recovery.
In the first phase of the program, Dialogue for Recovery focuses on the need for more communication in the doctor/patient relationship. According to the consumers and physicians we approached for this program, an open, two-sided exchange helps move an individual closer to recovery. NMHA has set out to foster communication in key areas such as treatment efficacy and goals, medication side-effects, and other quality-of-life issues.
For example, the unpleasant side-effects of some medications have been a problem area for many consumers, but their doctors may not know about these issues. There are many reasons why doctors might be unaware of side-effects their patients are experiencing. One is the limited office time that a doctor has with a patient. Another is a patient's hesitancy to bring up very personal topics such as sexual problems or weight changes. Side-effects may also be confused with symptoms of the illness itself and not necessarily reported.
To address this and other barriers to recovery, NMHA is putting specific, user-friendly tools into the hands of both physicians and consumers. At the heart of the Dialogue for Recovery program is a new tool called the Antipsychotic Side-Effects Checklist, or ASC. Developed by a physician panel, ASC gives individuals and their healthcare providers an easy way to share detailed information on how they are doing on prescribed medication. The checklist asks questions and seeks information on problem areas that consumers might not remember to mention and that physicians and treatment team members might not routinely ask. The ASC can make a difference by uncovering medication and quality-of-life issues that need to be discussed and addressed. Either the consumer can complete the ASC before a visit or the caseworker or physician can help the patient complete it, but it is ultimately intended to be used by physicians with their patients. Other components in the Dialogue for Recovery kit include
A consumer brochure that includes tips for making the most of your time with the doctor
A consumer wallet card with tips on starting a dialogue with your doctor
A physician fact sheet that promotes open dialogue and use of the ASC tool
A family and friends fact sheet that provides guidance on supportive strategies
An insightful video featuring physicians and consumers who have built effective relationships. Candid comments by family members and friends also contribute to these "how-to" lessons for everyone involved in an individual's recovery.
Our hope is that this information will empower consumers to strengthen their communication and relationships with their healthcare providers, and become equal partners in their treatment and recovery. Consumers confirm this is what it takes to move in the direction of getting well and getting back to their lives. At the same time, we've given physicians an effective way to get the information they need to be able to work productively and constructively with their patients.
The Dialogue for Recovery program is being distributed nationwide to mental health consumers and professionals, family members, and advocates through NMHA's 340 affiliates. Future phases of the program will include information about creating advance directives, setting life goals and other issues.
For more information, contact your local mental health association or the National Mental Health Association at (800) 969-NMHA (6642), or www.nmha.org.