As the mental health field in Ontario embraces the recovery approach to mental health services, many have expressed concerns that ACT does not fit well with recovery principles and philosophy. The Variations on Assertive Community Treatment study explored the recovery-oriented practices of ACT. Evidence was gathered by the Participatory Action Research (PAR) team, a group of consumers involved in the Variations study as researchers.

Consistent with recovery practices, ACT encouraged clients to be active in directing their own lives and learning to manage their illness. Beyond delivering medications and monitoring symptoms of the illness, ACT helped clients to develop their own problem-solving and coping skills. PAR revealed that clients often felt they were their own mental health workers – they considered themselves part of the ACT team.

Less well addressed by the ACT programs were recovery practices oriented to active community participation and establishing community roles. While clients received a great deal of attention when they were acutely ill, at risk of hospitalization, and/or experiencing serious crises in the community, they felt that much less attention was paid to developing and improving their daily lives. They would like more help to move forward, be more productive, and participate as empowered citizens in their community.

By placing more emphasis on community living and personal growth, ACT has the potential to go beyond routine maintenance or dealing with crises and acute illness, to promote mental health recovery.

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