There are about 18 different definitions for "recovery" in the dictionary – simply put, recovery is the regaining or returning of something – like getting healthy after being sick.

In some physical illnesses, recovery can mean getting well and regaining our health. When we are diagnosed with illnesses or conditions and diseases such as heart, cancer, diabetes, or behavioral or emotional illnesses, recovery is a process of change through which people strive to improve their health and wellness, live self-directed lives with a hope to reach some semblance of normal living.

To accomplish this, a recovery plan is recommended. First, keeping in mind we are exempt from the responsibility of being ill but we do have the responsibility of seeking treatment.

So, what goes into a recovery plan?

In the case of behavioral health conditions, basically, a personal recovery plan should include: Identifying goals for achieving wellness; specifying steps to take to reach those goals; and considering both daily activities and long-term goals. You need to know and identify triggers that may preclude a breakdown and plan ways to manage it in advance. Keeping a journal and tracking your progress is also recommended.

For those who need help developing an action plan, one of our partners, The Main Place Recovery Center, 117 E. High St., offers WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan), an eight-week series course developed by Mary Ellen Copeland (copelandcenter.com). This course will provide you with the tools to manage your disease with the goal of helping you to maintain a functional and healthy lifestyle.

While we are not trained to offer the WRAP program, we do use some of the WRAP tools in our NAMI peer support groups and we provide the WRAP workbook.

"Hope, the belief that these challenges and conditions can be overcome, is the foundation of recovery. The process of recovery is highly personal and occurs through many pathways. Recovery is characterized by continual growth and improvement in one's health and wellness that may involve setbacks. Because setbacks are a normal part of life, that's where resilience comes in. Resilience is a key component to recovery." – SAMHSA (SAMHSA.gov)