User:Daask/sandbox/Building Recovery of Individual Dreams & Goals through Education & Support

Building Recovery of Individual Dreams & Goals through Education & Support (BRIDGES) is a self-help program that provides education and support to mental health consumers. It is available to adults who have a diagnosis of mental illness. There are two parts to the program: A set of courses on recovery taught by mental health consumers; and support groups facilitated by mental health consumers.

The 10-week education component of the program includes classes of different lengths, designed for consumers in either community or inpatient settings. Courses offer detailed information on mental illness, mental health treatment, self-help skills and the philosophy of recovery. The goal is to empower students to take an active role in their treatment and recovery. Classes include discussions and exercises to help students apply the information. Many BRIDGES courses are taught in Peer Support Centers around the state.

The other part of the program consists of ongoing support groups. BRIDGES support group meetings provide a structured way for individuals to work with one another to strengthen coping skills and deal with the realities of living with a psychiatric disability. These meetings supply the emotional “glue” that enables people to ease individual and group feelings of helplessness, hopelessness or guilt.

History
The program was originally developed by the Tennessee Mental Health Consumers’ Association, and funded by the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. Over 3000 individuals take part in BRIDGES annually. Its success has led to its replication in 12 states and provinces in the U.S. and Canada.