Recovery Is Up to You, a peer-run course

Abstract

This study evaluate the peer-run course Recovery Is Up to You which was developed in 1996 in the Netherlands by clients and two mental health professionals for people with major psychiatric problems. Between 2006 and 2008, a randomized controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of the course. Recruitment of participants (N=333) took place at 13 mental health institutions and client organizations in the Netherlands. The feasibility of the course was evaluated by semi structured interviews. Of 38 groups, all of which had their own peer instructors, 37 course instructors were interviewed. In addition, 61 participants were interviewed, including those who had completed the course or who had dropped out. The results showed that most participants felt inspired and supported by the course instructor. Participants reported having received social support and personal attention from the other participants. In conclusion, Recovery Is Up to You is easy to implement because of its structured workbook and manual. The positive experiences with the course, large number of participants, clarity of the course material, and high protocol adherence among course instructors showed that the course is a promising tool. Moreover, it could provide many people the opportunity to make an active start with their recovery process. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved).