ABSTRACT

In many high-income countries (such as the UK, New Zealand and the US) the recovery approach presents possibly one of the largest social innovation streams in the mental health field, which evolved over many decades. Mental health care is an area that is increasingly prioritised by governments, and in some countries—like the UK and US—it has been given equal status to physical health care. The social model of disability is based on a realisation by most governments and non-government organisations over the past decade(s) that good health is not simply an outcome of good health care and that wider physical, mental and wellbeing aspects and social and environmental factors play an important role. The recovery approach focuses on helping people with mental ill health to live as part of and participate in their local community and is thus closely linked to concepts of social inclusion and citizenship and therefore located within the realm of the social model of disability.