Third Consumer Focus Group Supports FHR's PrismModel

Contributed By:  Edward Allard, Communications Representative

As in previous groups, participants in the Rhode Island Region’s third Consumer Focus Group delivered accolades to Fellowship Health Resources (FHR) for its quality service. FHR bases its service on its clinical approach; that is, the PRISMmodel for the Effective Treatment of Serious and Persistent Mental Illness. PRISM, an acronym representing the core constructs of the organization's treatment approach, stands for Person-centered, Respectful, Individualized, Strengths-based, and Mission-driven. The tenets of the PRISMmodel indicate that effective treatment occurs within a strengths-based and person-centered framework. Consumers in the third focus group supported the value of these principles.

The third focus group addressed the topic of fundamental human needs. As Facilitator, I presented participants with a brief list of obvious fundamental needs; such as, food, shelter and clothing, and asked the group to supplement the list with what they felt a person must have to live. Subsequently, the list came to include such things as transportation, entertainment, and social contact, and, with discussion, grew to include goals and dreams. Leo D. would like to open a furniture finishing shop one day. Clark M. dreams of his own website, and Glenn G. philosophically indicated he wished to learn to “Go with the flow, happily happily moving along.” As we talked, it became clear that consumers felt they each had unique needs. Leo D. states, “You know, everybody is different and what I need may not be what he needs.”

Discussion once again turned to the PRISMmodel. Participants collectively confirmed the model’s truth and agreed that for treatment to be successful in each unique circumstance, it must be individualized and respectful.

On behalf of Fellowship Health Resources, thank you to Focus Group members and all consumers for the innumerable and powerful ways they contribute, both to the healing process, and, to the welfare of our agency.