1	Living the Empowered Life 2007 HOPE Conference Having Opportunities for Personal Empowerment
2	Personal Empowerment What is it? What does empowerment mean to your recovery? Why do you want it? How Do You Become/Stay Empowered? How Do You Create a Strong Collective Voice?
3	Defining Empowerment “Empowerment is a multi-dimensional social process that helps people gain control over their own lives.” (Page & Czuba, 1999; Chamberlin) The process whereby individuals are supported and encouraged to fully utilize their skills, abilities and creativity to accept ownership and accountability for their life. (www.bsu.edu)
4	Defining Empowerment “Personal control over all domains of life, not just mental health care but also decisions related to such important areas as vocation, residence and relationships.” (Corrigan, 2004) “The connection between a sense of personal competence, a desire for and a willingness to take action in the public domain.” (Rappaport)
5	Defining Empowerment “Empowerment is a kind of personal power. A feeling that no matter what others do, you feel secure with who you are. It doesn’t matter what life may throw your way, you know that you can handle adversity and come out the other end a better person; or at least more knowledgeable for the next time.” (http://blog.worldvillage.com/health/empowerment_definition.html)
6	Empowerment → Recovery Ohio Department of Mental Health (1999) defines recovery as “The process of overcoming the negative impact of a psychiatric disability despite its continued presence.” “Many people, including myself, have experienced recovery as a transformative process in which the old self is gradually let go of and a new sense of self emerges. It is a self-directed process of healing and transformation (Deegan, 2001).
7	Empowerment → Recovery Stages of Recovery (The Village): Hope Empowerment Self-Responsibility Meaningful Role in Life
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11	So, why be empowered?
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13	Attributes of Empowerment * Having decision-making power Having access to information and resources Having a range of options from which to make choices Assertiveness A feeling that the individual can make a difference Learning to think critically; unlearning the conditioning; seeing things differently
14	Attributes of Empowerment Learning about and expressing anger Not feeling alone; feeling part of a group Understanding that people have rights Effecting change in one’s life and one’s community Learning skills that the individual defines as important
15	Attributes of Empowerment Changing others’ perceptions of one’s competency and capacity to act Coming out of the closet Growth and change that is never ending and self-initiated Increasing one’s positive self-image and overcoming stigma
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17	Overcoming Stigma Stigma from others (external) Mental Health System Providers Peers Community (family, friends, neighbors, etc.) Self-stigma (internal) Serenity Prayer Self-Esteem Empowerment
18	Living the Empowered Life Hope (have a vision) Courage (willing to take risks to pursue your vision) Surround yourself with empowered people Tell your story Increase self-esteem & confidence
19	Living the Empowered Life Self-responsibility Independence/interdependence Help others to become empowered Recover ---------------------------------------- Employment
20	Power of the Collective Voice “We are ready to move beyond our own difficulties to address the need of the group; we are ready to continue to develop and improve our leadership skills in our communities and state. We are committed to the values of our organization and to the demonstration of those values in all of our activities.” Vision Statement: The Advocacy Initiative Network of Maine
21	Power of the Collective Voice “Empowerment is often defined as the action of those who are disempowered and acting to become empowered.” (McLean) Impact of a strong, collective voice… Overcome discrimination Fight stigma Change attitudes Raise consciousness Form public policy Influence media Drive the mental health service delivery system
22	Requirements for a Collective Voice A shared vision Empowered (recovering) individuals Strong leadership Skills & Resources Sacrifice Passionate individuals Equality Collaboration Stick-to-itiveness
23	Q & A and Contact Information Renee Kopache Coordinator of Wellness Management Hamilton County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board Cincinnati, OH 45219 reneek@hamilton.mhrsb.state.oh.us www.mhrecovery.com