According to this model mental illness is a combination of severe emotional distress and a loss of social role. PACE grew from the firsthand experiences of people labeled with mental illness. PACE is based on the Empowerment Model of Recovery. We found from our firsthand experiences and research that recovery often depends on being assisted by people who believe In you and your capacity to recover. These trusting relationships foster empowerment and self-determination.
People are able to then experience and understand their feelings.
These shifts allow the people to regain control of their lives through self-help and peer support. As people gain more control over their lives they can form relationships and pursue their dreams. Then people can fully recover from mental illness. Nurturing hope and empowerment are just as important in hospitals as in peer counseling. By Laurie Ahern and Daniel Fisher.