10 Recovery Components

Personal Responsibility: Taking CAN is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization
on personal responsibility for not established by consumers. CAN’s mission is
only an individual’s journey of
recovery but also for their own to empower mental health consumers by
self-care is essential. Sometimes promoting recovery and self advocacy.
accepting responsibility takes
courage but by striving to give Consumer Action Network
meaning to personal experiences
as well as identifying useful 1300 L Street, NW, Suite 1000
coping strategies, consumers can Washington, DC 20005
achieve well-being, acceptance,
and healing. 202.842.0001 | 202.842.2685 (f)
E-mail: [email protected]
Hope: Last but not least, hope.
The essential and motivating Website: www.can-dc.org or
message that people can and do find us on Facebook
overcome obstacles is the catalyst
of the recovery process. Hope
comes from within but with the
help of peers, family, friends, and
providers, hope is fostered and
encouraged.

Nothing About Us Without Us

Recovery is a journey, not a destination. Holistic: No one aspect of a person’s Peer Support: Support and mutual
And each person’s road to recovery is as life is more important than another. support plays a deep role in an
individual as they are. Recovery encompasses the mind, individual’s recovery process.
body, spirit, and community. From Engaging with other consumers in
However, as personal as recovery paths housing and employment to education recovery provides a sense of
can be, there are ten fundamental compo- and mental/physical healthcare, from belonging, shared values,
nents that are essential to the process. This spirituality to creativity, social net- community and social learning.
brochure, based on the SAMHSA works to family supports - all aspects
“National Consensus Statement on Mental of a person’s life are crucial in creating Personal Strengths: By building
Health Recovery” covers those ten and maintaining a consumer’s path to on an individual’s multiple
components. recovery. strengths (resiliencies, talent,
coping), they learn how to engage
Self-Direction: Consumers lead, Empowerment: Anyone in recovery in new life roles.
control, choose, and determine their has the authority to choose the best op-
personal path to recovery by improv- tions for them as well as to take part in Respect: Self-acceptance and
ing their independence and control of all decisions that affect their lives. regaining a belief in oneself are
resources to achieve a self- Through such empowerment, a person vital to eliminating discrimina-
determined life. Individuals who controls their own destiny as they pro- tion/stigma associated with mental
define their own life goals, and a ceed through their recovery process. health issues. Respect ensures the
path to those goals, are more inclusion and full participation of
empowered for success. Multiple Directions: An individual’s consumers in all aspects of their
personal recovery path is rarely a recovery process.
Individualized and Person- straight line. Rather, it requires ongo-
Centered: There are multiple path- ing growth, accepting the occasional
ways to recovery based on each indi- setback, and learning from experi-
vidual’s unique strengths, resiliency, ences. The first step is awareness that
personal needs, preferences and ex- positive change is possible but recov-
periences (including traumatic ones), ery requires taking the next step and
and cultural backgrounds. Basing continuing to always move forward as
recovery paths in a holistic manner much as possible.
helps each person achieve wellness
and optimal mental health.