Empowerment, Recovery & social citizenship: A valuable australian experience

Resumen

This paper challenges service providers to consider the way they support people. It demonstrates powerful experiences, outcomes, and opportunities enjoyed by Flourish Australia’s Community Advisory Council Members, and encourages readers to consider whether every person accessing other services could enjoy similar positive outcomes. The ethical underpinnings of the Council are human rights, including the right to be responsible. Its work of contributing to improving services and subsequent outcomes for people positively impacts the unique self-improvement, self-respect, and growth of each member. Members report that their involvement and the respect afforded them build confidence, self-worth, belonging, hope, and pride.  Each member is recognized as a valued, respected, and empowered citizen. Their experiences of trauma and mental health issues are viewed not as deficits, but as valuable lived-experiences used purposefully in the service of others. Council Members express the positive difference involvement in the Council has brought to their lives. They express how fulfilling it is to be contributing to the Council, services, and community. As they feel increasingly valued and encouraged, they are empowered in their work together and in their self-agency. Their recognition that they deserve to enjoy all human rights strengthens.  Members have undertaken new challenges in their lives including study, volunteering, and employment. This paper demonstrates experiences, mechanisms, and outcomes the Council has had in the lives of Members. It demonstrates the empowering effects that can happen when people who have been ostracised and marginalized are invited to be contributing, responsible, social citizens, colleagues, and peers.