IMR
Also written as: IMR — Illness Management and Recovery
Illness Management and Recovery; a structured, evidence-based curriculum that teaches individuals with serious mental illness strategies for self-managing their condition and pursuing personal recovery goals.
Full Definition
Illness Management and Recovery (IMR) is a manualized, individual or group intervention developed by SAMHSA and grounded in cognitive-behavioural and motivational interviewing principles. The curriculum covers psychoeducation about mental illness, medication management, relapse prevention planning, social support building, and goal setting aligned with personal recovery values. IMR is delivered over approximately 9–12 months by trained practitioners and is distinct from general psychoeducation or disease management programmes in its explicit focus on self-determined recovery goals. In editorial contexts, 'IMR' must be expanded on first use; it should not be confused with 'IPS' (Individual Placement and Support, a supported employment model) or with 'IDDT' (Integrated Dual Disorder Treatment), both of which are separate evidence-based practices.
Usage
Usage note: Expand on first use. Do not abbreviate without prior expansion. Distinguish from IDDT, IPS, and WRAP, which are separate evidence-based practices frequently mentioned alongside IMR in community psychiatry documents.
In Context
- "The agency received certification to offer Illness Management and Recovery (IMR) groups after completing the required training and fidelity review." — Programme certification announcement
- "IMR modules were adapted for a telehealth format during the public health emergency to maintain continuity of the evidence-based curriculum." — Clinical programme adaptation report