The goal of community mental health treatment when it was conceived in the 1960s was to allow those living with serious mental illness to remain integrated and supported by their local community where housing, relationships, social support and work would be relevant to their recovery needs. Inadequate access to affordable housing, disparate rates of incarceration for those living with SMI and lack of funding and reimbursement for services most important to personal recovery has led to challenging circumstances for those living with serious mental illness and those working in community mental health centers.
This project will document services most relevant and important to clients recovering with SMI and to develop an intervention that best addresses gaps in recovery promoting services. A workgroup of clients with lived experience, staff and management at Harborview Mental Health and Addictions Services (HMHAS) will assess the current services and environment in the community mental health center and develop a pilot project with the goal of strengthening CHIME elements in the mental health center (Connectedness, Hope & Optimism, Identity, Meaning and Empowerment).
Documentation of improvement of Recovery Enhancing Environment scores and/or other qualitative data will be used to inspire and support interventions to promote recovery and therapeutic community at HMHAS and other community mental health centers in Washington.