Kendrick, Michael, “Best Practices in Mental Health Community Supports and Social
Role Valorization Theory,” SRV UK Newsletter, Issue 2, Summer 1997
Best Practices In Mental Health Community Supports And Social Role
Valorization Theory
The theory of social role valorization is not particularly well known in
the mental health field, yet a close reading of its key propositions reveals
considerable concordance with what most practitioners in the field would
consider optimal or best practices. What follows is a brief illustration of the
overlap between best practices and social role valorization
(SRV) theory
1) The Acquisition Of Valued Social Roles And Status
This goal is central to the definition of SRV, yet there would be few
practitioners who would not espouse the value to their clients of obtaining
valued social roles in their community. Most professionals are all too aware of
the loss of valued social roles that can come with the onset of various disorders
and properly place emphasis on their preservation and enhancement. Even
where professionals are pessimistic of success with this goal they typically
maintain it as legitimate nonetheless
2) Treating People As People
It is commonly noted that the humanity of people with mental disorders
is overlooked. This is why the ethic (and practice) of systematically seeing and
treating people as being people essentially like everyone else is so crucial. In
social role valorization theory, the preferred method for doing this is by
insisting that people be treated as other valued
citizens of the society are, i.e., use of culturally valued analogues.
3) Practical Supports To Enable Normal Living Even In The Face of
Significant Functional Impairment.
While it is indeed true that many functional impairments could lead to a
loss of the advantages of being able to continue a typical life, it has always
been considered both feasible and desirable to both pursue normal living as an
accessible goal and to undertake to provide the practical supports necessary to
accomplish this. Many of these supports need not be formalized services,
though many people today can no longer grasp the reality
of non-professionalized community supports.
4) Countering Social Devaluation And Stigma
Even the most indifferent of people can recognize that people with
mental disorders are socially devalued and scarred by prejudicial stereotypes.
Social role valorization theory, professional practice, and virtually all self-help
and advocacy groups point out both the need and feasibility of challenging
social devaluation, prejudicial attitudes, and the mistreatment which comes
with them.
5) The Enhancement Of Autonomy And Empowerment
The reality of the powerlessness experienced by persons with mental
disorders, in regards to both society and human services, requires a firm
resolve to undertake practice that authentically empowers the person and
support their autonomous functioning as common with all citizens. While in
reality such aspirations are rarely followed through systematically, it does not
take away from their legitimacy as key elements of treating people as people.
6) The Preservation And Enhancement of Community Belonging And
Social Integration
It is all too obvious that people with mental disorders are at risk of being
rejected and excluded from most elements of society, e.g., relationships,
school, work, family, etc. This is why so much of good practice has recognized
the value of not letting crucial ties to-community be broken and the creating of
such ties where they are missing. This principle has been central to both SRV
theory and best practices.
7) Utilization Of Generic Resources
A key element of getting ones needs met without resorting to a
segregated life apart from community is to utilize the common (generic)
resources used by all citizens without notice or discrimination. These can be as
varied as medical care, leisure, schooling, transport, housing, community
clubs, etc. When people are denied these, they are left with-no choice
but to eke out an existence on the fringes of society, typically entrapped in the
permanent mental health client role.
8) The Preservation And Enrichment Of Natural Supports
It may surprise many to consider the possibility that the "real" mental
health systems one of "natural" informal supports offered by friends, family,
and even casual acquaintances. Yet for the majority of people living with
mental disorders it is these that-make much of their life more functional and
satisfying. This is why the support and-mobilization of such a resource is so
continually heralded as a vital element of good practice. In many cases, such
supports may be much more dependable and decisive than those of
the formal/professional system.
9) The Appropriate Individualization Of Support and Service(s)
Most socially devalued groups will encounter some form of gross and
negative generalizations as to what all such persons are supposed to be like. In
this the unique identity-of each person is clouded by the overall depiction and
(negative) treatment of the group. This is why the unique personality and
personhood of every person needs to be safeguarded. Most-high quality
practices not only respect individual differences but also "grow"
supports out of the unique identity of each person.
10) The Protection And Advancement Of Human Rights And Dignity
The history of the mental health field has been full of examples of the
degradation-of the human dignity and rights of its clients. This consciousness
has often led to quite-meritorious attempts to "set things right" by fully
recognizing the rights of persons even-when the broader culture continues to
devalue. Not all aspects of human dignity are enshrined as rights, so it is
necessary to respect people in the fullness as people irrespective of the
tendency to do otherwise.
These principles and propositions that are key elements of social role
valorization theory are clearly not always honored in practice yet few would
disagree that when they are pursued they constitute some of the best practices
of the mental health and allied fields.
By Michael J. Kendrick PhD
4 Bullard Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040 USA
(413) 533-3511/FAX (413) 533-8071
Email kendrickconsult@attglobal.net