This topic sets a positive and optimistic tone that is continued throughout the Illness Management and Recovery (IMR) Program. It conveys confidence that people who experience psychiatric symptoms can move forward in their lives. It introduces the concept of recovery and encourages consumers to develop their own definitions of recovery. In these sessions, IMR practitioners help consumers establish personally meaningful goals that will be followed up throughout the program.

People are empowered by knowledge. The more consumers understand the basic facts about mental illnesses, the better equipped they are to speak for themselves and to take an active role in their treatment and recovery. This topic gives consumers the opportunity to answer some common questions that they have about mental illnesses.

This topic also gives consumers a chance to share their experiences with you.

This topic helps consumers understand the Stress-Vulnerability Model of mental illness. It explains what causes mental illnesses and what factors affect their course. Based on the Stress-Vulnerability Model, several different treatment options are available to help consumers manage their mental illnesses and achieve recovery goals. Knowing about the causes and treatments for mental illnesses helps consumers make informed decisions and engages them actively in the treatment process.

According to the Stress-Vulnerability Model, stress contributes to the symptoms of mental illnesses. Having social support helps consumers cope with stress more effectively, which helps reduce relapse. Having family members or other supporters involved in relapse prevention plans can also help reduce relapse. This topic helps consumers evaluate their social supports, identify places where they might meet people, and develop strategies for increasing closeness in personal relationships.

This topic gives consumers an opportunity to learn more about medications and how they contribute to the recovery process. It encourages consumers to discuss both the benefits and side effects of taking medications and helps them make informed decisions based on their personal preferences. For consumers who have decided to take medications, the Handout also provides strategies to do so regularly and effectively.

This topic gives consumers information about the effects of alcohol and drugs on mental illnesses and how reducing or stopping the use of substances can help them achieve their recovery goals. It discusses the positive and negative effects of using substances to promote informed decision making about substance use. Consumers who choose to stop using substances may develop a three-step personal sobriety plan to help them achieve their goal.

The purpose of this topic is to help consumers examine their previous experience with relapse including identifying triggers and early warning signs. Consumers will also learn how to develop a relapse prevention plan, which outlines steps they can take to help prevent relapses.

Coping effectively with stress can reduce symptoms and prevent relapses. This topic helps consumers recognize different types of stress and identify signs that they are under stress. It also gives consumers strategies to use to cope with stress, which candecrease symptoms and help consumers achieve their personal recovery goals.

Effectively coping with problems can help consumers reduce stress and their susceptibility to relapses. This topic helps consumers identify problems they may be experiencing, including symptoms that are distressing.

Two general approaches to dealing with problems are taught:

 A step-by-step method for solving problems; and
 Coping strategies for dealing with specific symptoms or problems.

Consumers can choose strategies that seem most likely to address their problems.
Practicing problem-solving and using coping strategies both in the sessions and as part of homework can help consumers learn how to reduce their stress and discomfort.

This topic gives consumers information to help them make choices about programs and services that will help their recovery. It provides an overview of the mental health system and benefits. Consumers are also given strategies to advocate effectively for themselves in the mental health system, if needed.

In this module, you will view a video and see how the clinician documents his session with the client. The topic on this occasion is Module 7: Reducing Relapses.

The video is a truncated session and not exemplary of what a full length CST session based on such a topic.

This gives an overview of IMR and a who/what/how of the scale, plus a checklist of suggestions for before, during, and after the fidelity assessment that should lead to the collection of high quality data, positive interactions with respondents, and an efficient data collection process. 

Tools to use to better practice evidence based approaches. This is a resource for you so please utilized it. 

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