An audit or WRAP is taking place throughout Devon. Click here to find out more Click to view the November 2006 update of WRAP within Devon. Please note change on page 2 - Val Dempsey's telephone number 01752 891700 which is our main switchboard number. There was a meeting, on 3 February 2005, to look at Celebrating Recovery, Self-Management and WRAP. A report of the event can be downloaded from here

Wellness Recovery Action Plan

Introduction

The Wrap was created by Mary Ellen Copeland in 1997. Mary-Ellen lives in America and has been working with her own recovery from manic depression, major depression, fibromyalfia and chronic myofascial pain syndrome. She has coped by using her WRAP as she travelled on her journey through her mental health. Through Mary Ellen’s research, she says that the WRAP can work with anyone, not just people with a mental health diagnosis. Mary Ellen says she uses her WRAP Plan consistently and it works for her. When things are starting to go “down the drain”, her partner says “Where’s your WRAP?”

A WRAP is individual for everyone and one person's WRAP will probably not work for someone else.

The WRAP is a structured system for monitoring uncomfortable and often distressing symptoms and through planned responses, reducing modifying or eliminating those symptoms. The WRAP has sections for responses for others when symptoms have made it impossible for you to continue making decisions.

As far as who can use a WRAP, the answer is anyone who wants to create positive change in the way you feel or increase your enjoyment of life. This may mean you want to manage certain aspects of your life to decrease the intensity of physical or psychological pain which could be anything from depression to arthritis. You may also wish to increase your level of wellness by decreasing the rate of relapses.

Some people try so hard that they burn out. One way some people respond is to try harder – this is very likely to fail. This is where your WRAP can really help your recovery. If you follow your WRAP plan, you will notice that feelings you have felt and that indicated you were burned out will begin to abate. If the feelings don’t get better then you may need to change your plans, seek help from a supporter or try a new tool from the toolbox you will have created.

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Stages

There are three stages to a WRAP:

• Daily Maintenance Plan - This section looks at ways to stay well on a daily basis and looks at things you can do to help yourself, not necessarily every day, triggers, early warning signs and identifying a potential crisis;
• Crisis Plan - This section looks at what you are like when you are well, symptoms, supporters, medication, treatments, what others can do to help you, when the plan is not needed and what to do if you are in danger;
• Post Crisis Plan - This section looks at when the section should be used, post recovery supporters, discharge from hospital, what you need to do, people to thank, appologise or make amends to, signs your recovery may not be going to plan and what can be done to help yourself, medical, legal and financial issues, timetable for resuming responsibilities, what did you learn from your crisis and what changes need to be made to your plans.

Developments

There are developments happening, locally, in the WRAP including incorporating advanced directives in to the crisis plans so that they are easier to carry by the person. These advanced directives link back and refer to the crisis plan and where it can be located should it be required. Please return for information as this is incorporated. Currently there is an audit of how the WRAP is helping people. the report should be available soon and will be posted on this page and in the downloads section of this site.

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Method

The WRAP should be created on an individual basis. Each WRAP is individual and only for the person who wrote it. There isn't an off the shelf WRAP as each plan is unique and for the individual who created it.

The WRAP should be created at a time when you are feeling reasonably well. Don't create it too quickly, take your time and talk to people, gather ideas and thoughts before writing your plan.

If you are supporting someone writing their WRAP plan, do just that, support, don't lead, tell or write the plan for someone. You should be there to offer ideas and suggestions ensuring that the individual makes the decisions and creates the plan for themselves.

A WRAP can be writen, typed or recorded as the individual prefers.

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Sample Plans, Documents and Stories

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Contacts

Worldwide Contacts

LINK		Description
http://www.copelandcenter.com/		Mary Ellen Copeland's Company Site
http://www.mentalhealthrecovery.com		This site is the home of the WRAP and has lots of useful information
http://www.peersupport.org/recover.htm		Website with recovery ideas
		Purchase the original WRAP Book ISBN: 0963136615 Published by: Peach Pr Author: Mary Ellen Copeland Published: 1997 Cost: approximately £5.00 to £6.00
	Amazon.com
	W H Smiths
	mentalhealthrecovery.com (US site)
	copelandcenter.com (US site)
Mary Ellen Copeland has written lots of books around recovery. To view the books, CLICK HERE These books can be ordered in the UK through most book stores or direct from mentalhealthrecovery.com or copelandcenter.com in America
	Purchase the English edition of the WRAP book	ISBN: 0954929500 (1st edition) Published by: Sefton Recovery Group - www.seftonrecoverygroup.org.uk Edited: Piers Allot Published 2005:Second Impression 2006 Contact recovemast@aol.com to purchase the UK Edition

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