This inaugural episode of ‘MHPN Presents In Conversation With…’ features psychiatrist and Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Mental Health, Dr Ruth Vine; in conversation with US based psychologist Dr Marianne Farkas.

Both Ruth and Marianne have significant experience working with people who have serious and significant mental illness. Starting with the rhetorical question “What is the nexus between mental illness, disability, rehabilitation and recovery?” - their conversation navigates much thought-provoking territory including why service providers might think about psychiatric rehabilitation in similar terms as physical rehabilitation.

Tune in as Ruth and Marianne elaborate on the skills, talents and attributes of health and mental health providers required to help someone mitigate the negative impact of mental illness in the context of their overall experience, rather than the specific clinical features of the illness. Our guests promote that a strong foundation for good practice is to ‘see’ the person rather than the disability, and to be prepared to work towards outcomes that are ‘meaningful’ for the individual person. They address the notion that ‘life is messier than research allows for’ and offer listeners insight on the need to ensure that the outcomes mental health providers work towards hold meaning and value for service users, rather than the service itself.

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Visit the MHPN website to access this episode’s host and guest bios, recommended resources and a self-directed CPD form for this episode.

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