Northeast Passage PATHâ„¢ Program: A Strengths-Based and Recovery-Oriented Approach for Veterans Who Experience Mental Health Disorders

• Main Authors: Thompson, Tye, Bennett, Jessie L., Sable, Janet R., Gravink, Jill
• Format: Text
• Language: unknown
• Published: University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository 2016
• Subjects: Strengths-based practice; community-based therapeutic recreation; veterans; well-being; ICF; mental health; recovery; Northeast Passage
• Online Access: https://scholars.unh.edu/faculty_pubs/1895; https://doi.org/10.18666/TRJ-2016-V50-I2-6788; https://doi.org/10.18666/TRJ-2016-V50-I2-6788

The recreation therapy profession stands in a position to be a powerful agent of change from a strengths-based perspective (Anderson & Heyne, 2012). This article merges ongoing discussions regarding the need for development of effective evidenced-based treatment options for Veterans with mental health disorders, current dialogue regarding the changing focus in healthcare, and the role of strengths-based approaches to healthcare. It also offers a detailed example of the Northeast Passage PATHâ„¢ program (Promoting Access, Transition, and Health) as a strengths-based, recovery-oriented recreation therapy program implemented in a home/community-based setting (Craig, Wilder, Sable, & Gravink, 2013). Case examples are interwoven within the article to accent the discussion regarding strengths-based practices and illustrate how the PATHâ„¢ program implements interventions with Veterans with mental health disorders through all phases of treatment including assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation.