My recovery journey – service users experience of occupational therapy Recovery Oriented Practice in Hong Kong

Abstract

Using the story of a person’s journey through recovery, the concept of the Recovery model in psychiatric service is revealed. The medical model mainly focuses on clinical recovery that is the elimination or control of symptoms and restoration of function, whereas the Recovery model is concerned with personal recovery, which is the holistic processes of coping with challenges imposed by mental disorders (Johnson 2008). The Recovery model emerged from the consumer/survivor movement in the 1970s, transited in 80s–90s and came to fruition in the millenniums across the world. The introduction of the model to Asia led to a reform in the mental health services of Hong Kong. This article described a real case to demonstrate how an occupational therapist facilitates a person with Bipolar Affective Disorder to take her recovery journey.