Abstract
The recovery approach is an internationally accepted standard of care for persons with mental illnesses. This approach includes a shift of perspective from a clinical focus on symptoms to a focus on strength, wellness, and social inclusion. However, in clinical practice, there are difficulties with its application, and, therefore, it is important to develop tools to facilitate the use of recovery approach in everyday practice. Methods: In order to develop a new tool to assist psychiatrists in application of recovery practice we have searched the literature using the following keywords: recovery from mental disorders, biopsychosocial approach, psychosocial determinants of mental health and WHO’s QualityRights to determine the key factors important for recovery. Results: Protective factors for mental health, biopsychosocial approach, recovery principles and WHO’s QualityRights guidelines were identified as key factors for developing the new tool named Helm of Recovery. Helm of Recovery consists of 10 areas with the description of each area, questions to facilitate the application and instructions for use. Conclusion: Helm of Recovery is a new tool to assist psychiatrists in making an individual treatment/recovery plan as well as people with mental health difficulties in creating a personal recovery plan. In the future, it will be important to assess the applicability of the Helm of recovery in treatment/recovery outcome research.