You Can Support Someone’s Journey to Recovery

If you or someone you know has experienced a mental health or substance use challenge, you know just how hard it can be. It’s important to keep in mind that recovery can happen with the right tools and support.

What is recovery? The Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) curriculum describes it as a process of change through which people improve their health and mental wellbeing, live self-directed lives and strive to reach their full potential. More narrowly, “recovery” can also describe the period of time when a person comes to accept and learns to work to overcome the challenges of their illness. It’s not the same as being “cured;” people who recover still live with their challenge, but lead healthy and fulfilling lives with healthy coping mechanisms and a robust support network.

As a First Aider, you can play a big role in someone’s recovery journey, simply by giving them hope. Hope is the foundation of recovery, and it may be the most valuable contribution you can make in supporting someone.