Mainstream education as a possible route to recovery and social inclusion: a review

Mental Health Review Journal, Ahead of Print. Purpose The purpose of this paper is to focus on the findings of a review of the Learning Advice Service which provided mainstream learning opportunities and individual support to people using mental health services. The service was decommissioned after 15 years due to service reconfiguration and cost-cutting. Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews were carried out with members of the Learning Advisor ’s caseload by a researcher with no affiliation to the NHS or the Institute of Mental Health and no connection to the clients. The researcher also transcribed and analysed the interviews. This ensured that there could be no personal or positive bias. The clients faced significant mental health cha llenges and used the Learning Advice Service to facilitate and support their entry into mainstream learning. Findings The service enabled individuals facing significant mental health challenges to gain access to adult, community, distance and further and higher education facilitated by individual advice, guidance and support. They were able to broaden their sense of identity beyond that of someone using mental health services and to widen their social and educational base. Research limitations/implications Lack of funding within mental health services to continue this type of work limits r esearch which would further explore the value of mainstream education in the recovery of people with a mental health diagnosis. Whi...
Source: Mental Health Review Journal - Category: Psychiatry Source Type: research