Recovery is more than medicine

Mental health needs aren’t just medical conditions, and supporting people doesn’t just mean treating their symptoms.

Many people with mental health needs also need support with housing, benefits and employment. Mental health social workers like Chloe can support people with these social issues, and provide vital support in ways other professionals can’t.

Chloe was part of our 2022 cohort and has since stayed as a social worker in Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust.

She was featured in their Shine Magazine (Issue 9, Page 10), exploring the role of a mental health social worker and the importance of the social approach.

Social work values

Historically treatment has been medically led but we know recovery is more than just medicine and that’s where mental health social workers come in.

There’s no short answer to explaining what mental health social work is, but at its core are a set of values which underpin every decision, aspiration, motivation and every success.

These values: being fearless, independent, ambitious, integrity, collaborative, and transparent radiate from Chloe, a mental health social worker who works with people diagnosed with emotionally unstable personality disorder (EUPD).

Based in Burnley, Chloe supports individuals to navigate life with a mental illness, providing support and advocacy, teaching strategies, championing independence, and empowering people to flourish despite the tough hand life may have presented.

Taking a social approach

Meeting weekly over a two year period, Chloe is able to build a therapeutic relationship with each person, working together on the things which matter most and form the essential foundations of a fulfilling life such as relationships, employment, finances and housing.

Chloe explains: “It’s important for me to see the whole picture of their life, where they struggle, what their triggers are, how they keep well and to understand their goals and motivations to achieve them. That’s the driver for me, seeing people reaching their goals.”

This encompassing approach to care allows for a holistic approach to mental health care.

Chloe continued: “Historically treatment has been medically led but we know recovery is more than just medicine and that’s where mental health social workers come in.”

Championing the importance of social work

Throughout the two year intervention, people attend one-to-one and group therapy, learn and implement skills to manage their symptoms, understand what problem solving looks like for them and build their social support network.

Speaking with Chloe it’s clear to see how passionate she is about supporting people, providing stability and advocacy to those in need and championing the importance social work plays in mental health care.

“Encouraging people to look back and reflect on how far they have come and to see their progress is incredibly rewarding and I’m honoured to have been alongside them on their journey.”

Chloe finished our programme in 2024 and is now part of our Alumni Community.

Discover more about our #SocialWorkMatters campaign – campaigning for everyone with severe mental illness to have access to a mental health social worker.