Bringing recovery to the youth – a review of discovery colleges
Mental Health and Social Inclusion
ISSN: 2042-8308
Article publication date: 9 May 2023
Issue publication date: 9 July 2024
Abstract
Purpose
While the research literature on Recovery Colleges is relatively well-established, comprehensive research concerning Recovery Education for young people is currently scarce. The purpose of paper is to provide an overview of determinants of, and barriers to, the successful implementation of youth-adapted Recovery Colleges, known as Discovery Colleges, and to explore the wider impact of Discovery Colleges and Recovery Colleges.
Design/methodology/approach
In consultation with a Recovery College Peer Educator, three undergraduate applied psychology students conducted a literature review with no date limits on publications in the Google Scholar and PubMed electronic databases.
Findings
A total of 15 publications were included. Determinants for successful implementation included the importance of previously established Recovery College foundations, service and content accessibility and evaluative feedback. Barriers were primarily related to differences in how development, identity and environment between adults and young people impact positive educational outcomes. The wider impact of Discovery Colleges highlighted an improvement in relationships between service users and health-care professionals, an improved attitude towards education; improvements in well-being, self-worth and social connection; and promotion of transformative learning and personal autonomy. Through this, Discovery Colleges also continue to challenge the contemporary medical model of mental health.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this was the first literature review conducted specifically focussing on important factors in establishing Discovery Colleges. This literature review provides an important overview for both service users and staff members in how the development and implementation of this exciting and relatively new initiative can be further explored and enhanced going forward.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Aleisha, Tom and Phelim are all first authors as they had equal contribution in this paper.
The authors wish to thank all the staff in REGARI Recovery College, Roscommon for their valuable expertise, advice, support, and guidance throughout the duration of this research. We would also like to extend our appreciation to Mental Health Ireland and Mental Health Engagement and Recovery (MHER) for their commitment to growing recovery education for the young person cohort in the Roscommon region.
Citation
Fitzgerald, A., Moberg, T., Quinlisk, P. and Costello, C. (2024), "Bringing recovery to the youth – a review of discovery colleges", Mental Health and Social Inclusion, Vol. 28 No. 4, pp. 302-307. https://doi.org/10.1108/MHSI-04-2023-0041
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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