This article describes the author's personal recovery journey including his involvement with expanding the use of Wellness Recovery Action Plans (WRAP) and The Strengths Model of Recovery in the state of Kansas.

Deegan, G. (2003). Discovering Recovery. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 26(4), 368-376.

This qualitative study examines the first person accounts of the recovery of four women from psychiatric disability. Common themes and patterns are identified, and findings are linked to narrative and resiliency theories. Implications for policy, practice, and research are provided.

Ridgway, P. (2001). Restorying psychiatric disability: Learning from first person recovery narratives. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 24(4), 335-343.

This article comments on the article “What Is Recovery? A Conceptual Model and Explication” by N. Jacobson and D. Greenley. The author argues that their article is not a scientific document but rather a hopeful explanation and a forceful advocacy that is unobjective and could even interfere with treatment.

Peyser, H. (2001). What Is Recovery? A Commentary. Psychiatric Services, 52(4), 486-487.

The author shares her feelings toward the spirit of recovery, specifically with those encompassing this spirit who have also suffered from mental illness. The responsibility that both the family and treatment system have in recovery, as well as how these two factors are intertwined, is discussed.

Dixon, Lisa. (2000). Reflections on Recovery. Community Mental Health Journal, 36(4), 443-447.

Five key facets of recovery are identified and considerable discussion and recommendations are made concerning the need for mutual support in professional settings, how professionals can address learned helplessness, relieving symptoms, and the role of medications.

Mead, S. & Copeland, M. E. (2000). What recovery means to us: Consumers' perspectives. Community Mental Health Journal, 36(3), 315-328.

This article comments on the article by S. Mead and M. E. Copeland. The author notes that self-management and treatment will most likely promote recovery when both mental health consumer and treatment provider are well informed about what contributes to better outcomes.

Lehman, A. F. (2000). Putting Recovery into Practice: A Commentary on “What Recovery Means to Us.” Community Mental Health Journal, 36(3), 329-331.

This article reviews the literature on the concept of recovery in mental health circles. The review provides definitions of recovery from the writings of those who have lived it, and describes studies that show how people do recover.

Ralph, R. O. (2000). Recovery. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Skills, 4(3), 480-517.

This article discusses how mental health educators need to teach their students to move beyond mere recognition of illness, and to remember that individuals with mental illness are human beings who can become experts in their own journey of recovery. The author also draws on her own experience.

Deegan, P. (1996). Recovery as a journey of the heart. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 19(3), 91-97.

In this article, the author shares his perspective as a consumer/practitioner on what is necessary to support the recovery process of people who use the mental health system.

Walsh, D. (1996). A journey toward recovery: From the inside out. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 20(2), 85-89.

The author, who was diagnosed as having chronic process schizophrenia, describes her experiences as a patient in the treatment world of the chronic mentally

Lovejoy, M. (1984). Recovery From Schizophrenia: A Personal Odyssey. Hospital and Community Psychiatry, 35(8), 809-812.