Striking the Right Balance and Supporting Social Aspirations: How Agency and Choice Play out in a Recovery-Oriented Mental Health Service

IntroductionThere has been an increasing drive for a transformation of the mental health system towards recovery orientation, with research identifying a series of key recovery principles. It has been argued that these principles remain rhetoric rather than routine practice, and it remains unclear how these are operationalised and promoted within inpatient settings.AimTo address the knowledge gap of how staff and service-users enact recovery principles during the daily workings of an inpatient mental health service.MethodTwenty-one interviews were conducted with staff and service-users at a recovery-oriented inpatient service in the United Kingdom. Data was analysed using framework analysis.FindingsAnalysis of research interview data identified three subcategories grouped under the category of choice. These categories were: a delicate balancing act, acceptability of choices, and social issues impacting choice.DiscussionStaff were uncertain of their role in promoting choice, resulting in service-users feeling unsupported in their recovery. Staff had to adopt a titrated approach to social inclusion, to protect service-users from discrimination and rejection.ImplicationsMental health professionals need to take a more proactive role in enabling service-users to realise their social aspirations, as well as managing any adverse impacts of stigma and discrimination.