ABOUT US

Throughout the world, Recovery Colleges are transforming lives by providing an educational, socially based pathway for people who want to learn more about wellbeing.  

It provides ways to reclaim lives that may have been impacted by mental health challenges and/or alcohol and other drugs.  

The WA Recovery College Alliance (WARCA) is a unique partnership of 16 organisations to bring Recovery College courses to the entire state of Western Australia.  

On behalf of the WA Government the Mental Health Commission, WARCA brings this innovative approach in mental health recovery to meet the needs of metropolitan and rural, regional and remote communities.

The Recovery Model

The educational approach to recovery is powerful. Some of the unique benefits of the Recovery Model are

  • Individuals recognise and learn to use their individual talents and resources.
  • Students explore possibilities and develop their skills.
  • People are more able to achieve their goals and ambitions.
  • Staff become coaches who help people find their own solutions.
  • Training/courses replace or are in addition to therapies.
  • Students choose their own courses and become experts in their own self-care.

In comparison, the existing mental health therapeutic model focuses on problems, deficits and symptoms. It maintains power imbalances and reinforces the notion that expertise lies within professionals.

Recovery College principles

WARCA’s principles are based on Perkins and Repper’s Recovery Model (2017). This means that people who are experiencing mental health challenges or Alcohol or Other Drugs (AOD) dependency actively participate in the co-production of a course that will help them improve their functioning and wellbeing.

Alliance Partners

The WA Recovery College Alliance was formed by 16 Alliance partners including HelpingMinds as the Alliance lead, Recovery College WA Ltd, Alcohol and Other Drug Consumer and Community Coalition (AODCCC), Bay of Isles Community Outreach Inc (BOICO), COMHWA, Community Options Australia, ConnectGroups, Curtin University, Hope Community Services, MIND Australia, Palmerston Association Inc, Pathways Southwest, Richmond Wellbeing, Rise Inc, The Salvation Army Homelessness Services and Women’s Health and Family Services (WHFS).

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