Consumers’ Mental Health Recovery in a Psychiatric Outreach Program: A Process and Outcome Evaluation

This study was a process and outcome evaluation of a relatively innovative Canadian psychiatric outreach program that was multi-disciplinary, shared-care, community-based, consumer-directed, and self-determination oriented. Using structured interviews with participants (n=32), both quantitative and qualitative approaches were employed. The quantiative process measures included a demographic survey, a frequency of service utilization and satisfaction survey, and a shortened version of the Recovery Oriented System Indicator (ROSI) instrument. These measures revealed that the program was serving the target population; the conumsers utilized the services frequently and they were satisfied with the program; and, in the eyes of consumers, the program conformed to the concept of mental health recovery. The qualitative evaluation of process revealed seven themes: the program process is consumer-friendly; the program is supportive; the program is seamless; the program is wellness-oriented; the program is strengths-based; the program is collaborative; and the staff goes above and beyond their regular duties in the process. The quantitative outcome survey completed by consumers and staff revealed predominantly positive ratings. Qualitative outcome themes included: realizing potentiality, healing and wellness, self-determination, managing symptoms, incorporating illness, thriving, becoming more responsible and committed citizens, social connectedness and relationships, more positive day-to-day functioning, and renewing hope and commitment. Correlations between the process and outcome measures indicated that the consumer-rated outcome total score was associated with the frequency of utilization, and that the ROSI total score was associated with consumer satisfaction. The overall results suggested that the psychiatric outreach program operationalized the principles of recovery and became an indispensable part of consumers’ mental health recovery. However, the overall outlook for homeless Canadians who are affected by mental health issues remains bleak given existing housing policy