Project Type(s):
Implementation Science

Leaving a psychiatric hospital can mark the end of a mental health crisis, but it does not necessarily mean a person has gotten their life back. Someone may leave the hospital with improved symptoms, medications, and follow-up appointments, yet still struggle to rebuild daily routines, reconnect with loved ones, return to work or school, or regain independence. Hospital discharge planning focuses on treatment and safety, but often leaves a fundamental question unanswered: How can we help people rebuild the lives they want to live?

From Discharge Plans to Recovery Plans aims to bridge this gap. We will develop and test a simple approach that helps patients identify what matters most to them and turn those priorities into concrete, achievable steps. Before leaving the hospital, patients will create personalized recovery plans focused on goals such as reconnecting with family, establishing daily routines, or returning to meaningful activities. A brief follow-up after discharge will help patients navigate obstacles and adjust their plans as needed. Working with 30 patients, people with lived experience, and hospital staff, we will explore whether this approach is useful and can be integrated into routine care. Our ultimate goal is to make recovery about more than reducing symptoms – it is about helping people reclaim meaningful, fulfilling lives.

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