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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2019 May 1.
Published in final edited form as: Psychiatr Serv. 2018 Feb 15;69(5):562–571. doi: 10.1176/appi.ps.201700124

TABLE 2.

Illness Management and Recovery (IMR) modules and content

Module Title Module Topics
1 Recovery Strategies Defining recovery and learning what helps in the recovery process; exploring areas of life client wants to improve; identifying personal recovery goal; breaking down goal and taking the first step toward achieving it; following up on goals and solving problems
2 Practical Facts about Mental Illnessa Understanding the disorder and its diagnosis; learning what happens after people develop symptoms; taking positive steps to manage the disorder; dealing with negative attitudes and beliefs about mental illnesses (stigma)
3 The Stress Vulnerability Model Understanding the causes of mental illness; learning what improves symptoms and reduces relapses; understanding treatment options; reducing relapses
4 Building Social Support Recognizing the importance of social support; connecting with people; having enjoyable conversations; sharing personal information; understanding other people; developing closer relationships
5 Using Medication Effectively Learning about the role of medication in managing symptoms; recognizing and responding to side effects; making informed decisions; getting the best results from medication
6 Drug and Alcohol Use Identifying common reasons people use alcohol and drugs; recognizing the problems that alcohol and drugs can cause; weighing the pros and cons of sobriety; identifying personal reasons for sobriety and planning for high-risk situations; finding new ways of getting needs met; making a personal sobriety plan
7 Reducing Relapses Identifying triggers of relapse; recognizing and monitoring early warning signs of relapse; developing a relapse prevention plan; putting the relapse prevention plan into practice
8 Coping with Stress Learning what causes stress; identifying the signs of stress; prevention and coping with stress; using relaxation techniques; making a plan for preventing and coping with stress
9 Coping with Persistent Symptoms Identifying persistent symptoms; coping with depression; coping with anxiety; coping with hallucinations and coping with delusions (false beliefs); coping with sleep problems, low stamina, and low energy; coping with angry feelings and concentration problems; making a plan for continuing to use coping strategies
10 Getting Your Needs Met in the Mental Health System Overview of community mental health services; financial and health benefits; advocating for yourself in the mental health system
11 Healthy Lifestyles Diet, part I; diet, part II; exercise; personal hygiene; sleep
a

Specific handouts available for schizophrenia (2A), schizoaffective (2B), bipolar disorder (2C), major depression (2D), and multiple diagnoses (used in groups; 2E)