WRAP: Strengthening The Inner System

Aspects of Need addressed: Psychiatric, Medical, Spiritual

When The System from the outside beats down our mentally ill loved ones that it is supposed to serve, a good way to respond is for them to strengthen their own systems from the inside.

That is the premise behind a holistic, consumer-focused approach called Mental Health Recovery and Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP), the brainchild of Mary Ellen Copeland. Afflicted also with mental illness, Copeland discovered the surprising possibilities for "recovery" from mental illness, helped devised a methodology for consumers to achieve such recovery and now runs a renowned training enterprise to promote this evidenced-based practice.

Consumers applying the principles of WRAP learn that they could identify triggers of their illness and establish plans of action in advance to address and reduce them. WRAP is a program of self management and recovery, unique to every individual who uses it. Each plan is designed and set up by each consumer. Each consumer may choose to have selected supporters (family and friends) and health care providers assist and support them as they work on their own plans.

Here's an example of a WRAP plan outline.

Copeland's enterprise, Mental Health Recovery, through its Copeland Center, conducts training sessions around the country regularly. A WRAP training class will soon begin in my area of Central New Jersey, beginning on Wednesday, April 14 at 6:30 pm at the offices of NAMI Mercer. For more information about this class, click here.