Exploring individuals' experiences of hope in mental health recovery: Having a sense of possibility: Having a sense of possibility

<jats:title>Accessible Summary</jats:title><jats:sec><jats:title>What is known on the subject?</jats:title><jats:p> <jats:list list-type="bullet"> <jats:list-item><jats:p>Mental health recovery is acknowledged as a process of transformation and a way of living a meaningful life despite the presence of mental ill‐health.</jats:p></jats:list-item> <jats:list-item><jats:p>Experiencing hope has been articulated as intrinsic to service users experience of a meaningful life.</jats:p></jats:list-item> <jats:list-item><jats:p>The social construction of mental illness and stigma are recognised as barriers to experiencing hope.</jats:p></jats:list-item> <jats:list-item><jats:p>Mental health professionals have responsibility to positively influence the experience of hope.</jats:p></jats:list-item> </jats:list> </jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>What this article adds to existing knowledge?</jats:title><jats:p> <jats:list list-type="bullet"> <jats:list-item><jats:p>Individuals in mental health recovery experience hope as the embodiment of having a sense of possibility in life.</jats:p></jats:list-item> <jats:list-item><jats:p>Individuals' sense of possibility in life is underpinned by a belief and confidence that they will be ok. This belief is informed by ‘feeling safe’ and ‘feeling connected’.</jats:p></jats:list-item> <jats:list-item><jats:p>This article generates an increased understanding of the dynamic relational processes that unpin hope generation.</jats:p></jats:list-item> </jats:list> </jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>What are the implications for mental health nursing practice?</jats:title><jats:p> <jats:list list-type="bullet"> <jats:list-item><jats:p>Mental health stakeholders need to be more explicit in exploring ‘<jats:italic>hope’</jats:italic> and uncovering its therapeutic potential.</jats:p></jats:list-item> <jats:list-item><jats:p>Mental health practitioners need skill in enabling individuals to feel safe and connected while understanding its role in cultivating hope.</jats:p></jats:list-item> </jats:list> </jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:sec><jats:title>Introduction</jats:title><jats:p>The experience of hope is widely acknowledged and empirically supported as a key catalyst of mental health recovery. Lived experience accounts of hope are critical in accessing data on what has been termed a nebulous concept. This article is the second presentation of data from this study and provides further context to improve understanding of hope and optimise its therapeutic potential.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Aim</jats:title><jats:p>To explore how individuals describe and make sense of their experience of hope in mental health recovery.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Method</jats:title><jats:p>A qualitative Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) approach was used.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Results</jats:title><jats:p>This article explores the second of three experiential group themes: Hope as Having a sense of possibility ‘I will be ok’ which is informed by feeling safe and feeling connected.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Discussion</jats:title><jats:p>Having a sense of possibility is easier when basic needs are met and people feel connected to self, others and the universe. The use of creativity as a pathway to the imagination is positively experienced. The role of family, friends and healthcare professionals as hope reservoirs is critical. Finally, the framing of medication use emerged as significant.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Implications for Practice</jats:title><jats:p>It is important that all stakeholders appreciate the interpretation of hope and use the understanding and skill in harnessing its therapeutic potential.</jats:p></jats:sec></jats:sec>