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Carers’ Understanding of Recovery-Oriented Practice in Mental Health Settings

A Systematic Review and Narrative Synthesis

Published Date: 7.4.2025

View Publication

Theme: Carer health and wellbeing

Sub-theme: Mental health

Mental health carers Carer inclusion Carer burden Carer recognition

Verification Statement

This publication / resource is hosted on a publicly available external link. If the full text is not publicly accessible, summary points are included and a contact method for the author(s) is provided, where available.

The summary information presented is based on content submitted by an author or other user
, along with publicly available information about the publication / resource added by the Carer Knowledge Exchange team.

All content is reviewed, edited and approved by the Carer Knowledge Exchange team, in line with our Submission Guidelines.


To report an issue or request a change, please complete our Feedback Form.

 

Theme: Carer health and wellbeing

Sub-theme: Mental health

View Publication Mental health carers Carer inclusion Carer burden Carer recognition

Verification Statement

This publication / resource is hosted on a publicly available external link. If the full text is not publicly accessible, summary points are included and a contact method for the author(s) is provided, where available.

The summary information presented is based on content submitted by an author or other user
, along with publicly available information about the publication / resource added by the Carer Knowledge Exchange team.

All content is reviewed, edited and approved by the Carer Knowledge Exchange team, in line with our Submission Guidelines.


To report an issue or request a change, please complete our Feedback Form.

 

Carers’ Understanding of Recovery-Oriented Practice in Mental Health Settings

A Systematic Review and Narrative Synthesis

Published Date: 7.4.2025

  • Author/ Authors

    Birhanie Mekuriaw, Natalie Ann Cutler, Jo River

  • Suggested citation (APA 7th edition)

    Mekuriaw, B., Cutler, N. A., & River, J. (2025). Carers’ Understanding of Recovery‐Oriented Practice in Mental Health Settings: A Systematic review and Narrative Synthesis. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 34(2). https://doi.org/10.1111/inm.70035

Long Summary

This article looked at how family members and other unpaid carers understand and experience recovery-oriented practice in mental health care. This study found that many carers do understand and support the ideas behind this approach. However, they often feel left out when it comes to how services actually work.

Carers spoke about feeling shut out by mental health professionals and systems, even when they were eager to be involved and offer support. This left many feeling frustrated, unsupported, and discouraged from staying involved, something that also affected their own mental health and wellbeing. The findings show that for recovery-oriented care to really work, carers need to be genuinely included in decision-making, like in care planning meetings. Services also need to create clear ways for carers to share feedback and have their voices heard.

Author's / Publisher's Contact Details:

birhanie.m.temesgen@student.uts.edu.au

    Key Messages for Carers


  • Carers bring deep insight and experience that can positively influence mental health care and recovery outcomes.
  • Greater recognition of carers’ knowledge and involvement has the potential to improve support for both carers and those they care for.

  • Key Messages for Policy Makers


  • Carers play a vital role in supporting individuals through personal recovery journeys, yet their contributions often go unrecognised within formal mental health systems.
  • Many carers report feeling excluded from care planning and decision-making processes, despite a strong willingness to be involved. This sense of exclusion may lead to reduced engagement with services and contribute to carer stress and burnout.

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The Carer Knowledge Exchange is led by Carers NSW and proudly funded by the NSW Government. It was established as a partnership between Carers NSW and the Institute for Public Policy and Governance (IPPG) at the University of Technology Sydney from 2021-2024. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we live, learn and work.