DUMMERSTON — Mary Ellen Copeland's first experience with mental illness came from witnessing her mother's struggle with depression. She eventually got well and returned home, where Copeland saw her pick up the pieces of her life and work to maintain her wellness.
Through the next decade, while Copeland struggled with her own mental health challenges and was hospitalized several times, she set out to talk to people and find out more about the process of recovery.
With the aid of a vocational rehabilitation counselor, she received the support she needed to create a survey and administer it to 125 volunteers. What she found out about wellness and recovery, she felt she had to share, which led to her first book in 1994, The Depression Workbook: A Guide for Living with Depression and Manic Depression.
This book came out at a time when recovery from mental health issues was not even considered to be possible. This book gave people hope. It led many, many people out of the depths of despair into a rich and rewarding life.
Since then, Copeland has written more than 20 books and become a leader in the international mental health recovery movement. She is best known for the Wellness Action Recovery Plan (WRAP), which has become a buzzword in the industry with an incredibly large and dedicated following.
In 2005, Copeland's work led to the creation of the nonprofit the Copeland Center for Wellness and Recovery, which continues her work through trainings around the world.
Her latest book, WRAP Plus, takes accountability and recovery to a new level sharing stories of how people incorporate WRAP into their daily lives as part of their behavior, their habits, on their terms and to suit their individual needs.
WRAP shifts the focus in mental health care from “symptom control” to prevention and recovery. The result is significant reduction in the need for costly mental health and emergency services as people who experience mental health issues effectively take responsibility for their own wellness by using a variety of self-help techniques and reach out for and use the support of a network of family members, friends, and health care providers.
WRAP Plus is an extensive enhancement of her first book that includes findings about mental health recovery and WRAP since 1994. Filled with new ideas for successfully developing, using and updating the popular Wellness Recovery Action Plan for prevention, recovery and wellness, this new book includes stories from those who are using WRAP to stay well and are learning to anticipate and address life's hurdles.
Last year, Copeland was the recipient in Hollywood of the 2009 SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) Lifetime Achievement Voices Award, where she was applauded for her work in raising awareness and understanding of mental health issues, and encouraging individuals with mental health problems to access the services and supports they deserve.
WRAP Plus is available online at www.WRAPandRecoveryBooks.com, or can be ordered by phone 802-254-2092 for $19.95.