Context: For 10 years NZ has increased funding of public MHS, driven by a Blueprint which has a strong recovery focus, and mandates development of peer advocacy and support services. This has created a context in which a range of consumer-run MHS have evolved and developed. Services in Hawkes Bay have evolved over this time with a strong focus on responsiveness of services, recovery focus, and strengthened community/consumer/family engagement at the level of governance. One outcome of this has been the evolution of a consumer-run support service which has recently piloted peer case management.
Objectives: This symposium will present a summary of relevant research regarding the conditions required to foster recovery from severe persistent mental illness, and will then present an overview of the development of WIT-a consumer-run support and case management service. The common threads elicited from the “success stories” of people supported by WIT who have made dramatic recoveries, and the key lessons learned along the way, will be presented.
Key messages: Flexible peer support which builds trust and relationship over time, can dramatically improve outcome for those consumers with the highest needs.
Central to this is consistency of relationship, and the ability to do “What It takes” to make a difference.
Excellent clinical care which supports this primary peer-support approach, is also key to success.
Conclusions: Consumer-run case management services can dramatically improve outcomes for those consumers who have not benefited from more traditional psychiatric services.
