Brandon University’s Psychiatric Nursing Program is currently offering a course that addresses the human element in the road to recovery from mental illness.

In partnership with the Mental Health Commission of Canada, BU’s Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Recovery course is being evaluated within the Commission’s 10-year anti-stigma initiative, Opening Minds, for possible introduction nation-wide to reduce stigma on medical front lines.

“We as professionals really need to change the paradigm of how we think and act.”

The highlight of the course is the Recovery Narrative, which is meant to address an individual’s own personal story as treatment options are determined, and has a mutually beneficial effect on both the student and the participant.

“Students generally say it’s an eyeopener,” says Jane Karpa, professor of Psychiatric Nursing at Brandon University. “I think they get blown out of the water when they hear the experiences of these people. We as professionals really need to change the paradigm of how we think and act.”

BU Psychiatric Nursing students are reporting that participation in the Recovery Narrative has increased their confidence in working with people who have a mental illness.