The basic purpose of the analyzed article as it is outlined by the author is to formulate and elaborating a new concept of recovery-oriented mental illness treatment. According to the author, earlier approaches in mental illnesses treatment centered on organizational capabilities and a ‘repressive’ attitude to patients, which often neglected their own needs. In modern conditions of medicine humanization and the development of bioethics, there exists the urgent need to transform dominant approaches within mental illnesses treatment.
As the article shows, the process of deinstitutionalization in the sphere of treating mental illnesses which started in the 1970s resulted in transforming formerly centralistic and paternalistic approaches to treating mental illnesses into Community Support Model.
The community-based mental treatment system, as the article proves is based on the new comprehensive approach to the issues of psychological health, which puts forth not only the consequences of the illness but its deeper causes and the need for comprehensive recovery and rehabilitation. The introduction of this system is premised on the concerted efforts on behalf of community health organizations, civil society stakeholders, medical specialists, etc. Unless these steps are taken mental treatment is unlikely to become an effective means of serving human mental problems.
In this view, the author offers the comprehensive concept of recovery, which is applicable to mental illness and centers not only on treating illnesses but also creating all necessary conditions for returning to normal life, reestablishing broken life ties and possibilities. There is no denying the importance of the fact, that this process is time-consuming and is often connected with severe stresses and dissatisfaction which may cause future comebacks of mental diseases. A person which was cured should be helped and supported to find its place in society, job, and activities.
There is no denying the importance of the fact that this can only be achieved within the framework of communal support and help.
One of the most important contributions of the author as they are presented in the article is elaborating his own recommendations and assumptions for creating a viable and sound mental illness recovery system. If summarized it claims that the recovery should not be regarded as the function of illness and should be considered as the unique non-linear process. To guarantee effective recovery, it should be provided that a treated person is surrounded by caring people and helpers, which do their best to improve his/ her general health and psychological conditions.
The author of the article concludes by saying that old visions of mental illnesses care are outdated and should be revisited with a new concept of recovery. He points out that the task of creating new schemata is very difficult but all necessary steps should be taken to guarantee effective care of those people who are in need.
My own reaction to this article is positive since it is evident that the author tries to elaborate complex and effective approach to treating mental illnesses and managing the recovery process. He rightly claims that earlier approaches to recovery were contaminated with ‘institution-centered approach to patients, which is detrimental in terms of a successful recovery process. It seems to me also that the Community-based approach to recovery is more efficient since it provides the framework for uniting disease treatment and recovery management in one interconnected process.
There is no denying the importance of the fact, that author’s practical recommendations for the creation of this kind of system show his good knowledge and practical skills. Some of them, however, are not so well-grounded and need further elaboration.
To sum it up, the analyzed article provides us with some interesting insights and practical recommendations, which show us the general situation in the field including existing problems and perspectives.