Focus for Life Program: A Consumer-driven, Consumer-led Training Program
Focus for LifeŽ Training Program is an innovative consumer-driven, consumer-led training program designed to positively impact personal recovery for those with mental illness by fostering increased levels of wellness.
A growing body of knowledge demonstrates the significance of peer support and peer to peer services for individuals recovering from mental illness. Such consumer led groups are found to enhance the sense of well being on the part of members and result in better treatment outcomes (Campbell, 2004). In 2003, based on her first hand knowledge of the mental health consumer movement and personal history with mental illness, Ms. Janet Paleo developed Focus for LifeŽ in partnership with Anna H. Gray. Through their own recovery and that of other consumer leaders, they recognized self-direction and self responsibility as essential components of recovery. Focus for LifeŽ is a program that empowers people to find their pathway to recovery; providing access to a full and fulfilled life.
The Focus for LifeŽ curriculum was developed and designed to meet the need to offer a path to recovery and wellness based on the components of salutogenesis (Antonovsky, 1996), where the training focuses on building personal strengths and developing wellness resulting in resiliency. Salutogenesis focuses on factors that support human health, well-being, and the origin of health rather than the origin of illness and disease. Key elements of salutogenesis are "the orientation towards problem-solving and . . . the capacity to use the resources available" (Lindstrom & Eriksson, 2005, p. 440). A person who has this ability to take in the whole situation and move towards health is seen as having a Sense of Coherence, a sense of comprehensibility, meaningfulness, and manageability.
The Focus for LifeŽ curriculum fosters an increased sense of coherence and quality of life for program participants. The program offers:
Recovery - Life on Your Terms
Happiness - A Contentment with Life
Empowerment - The Motivation to Move Forward
Resiliency - The Ability to Meet the Challenges of Life
Below are some of the comments from the participants of this training.
Wow, what an experience. I passed along to my bosses that I have never experienced anything like your class. It was healing and transformational!
Thank you for the gift you gave to our consumers. It is a gift that will keep on giving."
"I can't thank you & Anna enough for focus for life. You gave me (& others) a renewed joy & excitement in helping others recover! I have a renewed sense of purpose, direction & real gratitude for having mental illness. I'm empowered knowing my illness can be/is a catalyst. God bless you both!"
"Your certificate should say "License to Live". Thank you!"
"This is one of the best trainings I have ever been to in my life! And I have been to a lot of trainings. I truly feel empowered and proud to be who I am."
[I hope to change in my life as a result of this training] "to stand in my declaration and to keep looking forward"
