The tenth class introduces the new realities of recovery and rehabilitation in mental illness, a change in future possibilities in the lives of our ill loved ones that did not seem possible until ten years ago. The class will also discuss the current system of support, both socially and in terms of community resources, and how to find assistance and advocate for the creation of the best rehabilitation programs. There will also be a one hour special presentation by a visiting speaker.

Introduction

• Social dimension of mental illness

Challenging the Myth of Permanent Incapacity in Mental Illness

• How potential for recovery from mental illness has changed since 1990
• Stabilization and maintenance vs. recovery and system change
• Class discussion: System failure in providing innovative social programs for people with mental illness

How Consumers Define Recovery

• Definitions of recovery
• Relationship of the vision of recovery to the stages of emotional adaptation
• Class discussion

The Role of Rehabilitation in Recovery

• What consumers want
• Innovative programs for consumers
• Professional/consumer/family collaboration
• Class discussion
• The "downside" to the concept of recovery: What about the subset of individuals with severe mental illness who do not get better?
• Class discussion

Special Presentation: Speaker to be Announced

• Class discussion

Onward and Upward in Stage 3

• Finding support systems
• Rights to service
• Class discussion

Planning Our Class 12 Party