Embedding Recovery Principles in Staff Orientation: A New Way of Delivering Multidisciplinary Mental Health Orientation

Abstract

Purpose: Recovery-focused mental health treatment continues to grow, yet staff are often uncertain how best to define and implement it. As a quality assurance activity, we examined the effect of a novel orientation program embedded with a recovery framework structure, philosophy, and content, together with true lived experience codesign, on knowledge of recovery principles and acceptability. Method: Staff of a new sub-acute adolescent mental health inpatient center completed a 6-week orientation in early 2020. Recovery processes of connectedness, hope and optimism, identity, meaning, and empowerment were mapped to session topics and the structure, design, and philosophy of the program. Results: Mean knowledge scores improved from pre- to post-assessment and most (≥70%) participants reported topics as relevant, impactful, and would recommend. Approximately all (95%) comments were positive. Conclusion: Findings suggest that person-centered orientations that embed a recovery framework are promising for mental health staff orientation. [ Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, xx (xx), xx–xx.]