Because the mental health service system was never built in a comprehensive way, services are highly fragmented. There are also many gaps. The expectation of recovery often comes with it an assumption of the ability to manage services and supports with only informal help. Some people in Minnesota have resources such as sick leave or short-term disability benefits, health insurance, and strong family support. When they do, this can be possible. However, people without these resources, or who lose these due to the seriousness of their condition, often cannot. They can get caught in a spiral of reactive services that are poorly coordinated and don’t meet their needs fully or effectively. Services also tend to focus mostly on symptoms and treatments. They forget to look beyond to the goals the person has for themselves. People in these circumstances are often seen through a lens of problems and or deficits.

Person-centered approaches remind professionals to identify people’s goals and to look for strengths and assets. Organizing an overall strengths-focused plan that looks at relationship, valued social roles in community, strengths, and personal goals can create a positive foundation from which all services can be coordinated. It can help make sense of these service options and other needs in a meaningful way. Many people and families cannot do this for themselves. Many current treatment or services plans focus on only some of these things, if any.

Mental and chemical health services do not always consider the role of family or similarly important people in the person’s ability to recover. When they do, they often look through the lens of seeing these natural supporters as being problematic. Or, they assume that they are ready and able to support the person during crisis and recovery. They don’t consider the need for education or support for caregivers. The thought that the person may themselves be a primary caregiver for children or other adults is rarely considered.

Confidentiality and privacy laws are often cited as the reason for reluctance in this area. (Although this situation occurs even in children’s services.) There are ways of engaging natural supporters without crossing the lines of HIPAA and similar laws. Treatment professionals connected to other serious illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer have recognized the value of incorporating natural support into recovery. It’s not uncommon for them to recommend people bring supporters to an appointment with them. They are often knowledgeable about the challenges these supporters face. They have resources and recommendations for them as well. Keep in mind, supporters do not always have to be legal family. They can be domestic partners or family of choice (people the person relies on like family without legal ties). They can also be children and youth who live with the person. These young people are often highly affected but rarely considered in typical services. Understanding who supporters are and what their needs are makes recovery more likely for the person with mental illnesses.