Natural Supports
Informal relationships and community connections—such as family members, friends, neighbours, and faith communities—that provide ongoing practical and emotional support to individuals in psychiatric recovery.
Full Definition
Natural supports are unpaid, community-embedded sources of assistance that complement or, in some cases, substitute for formal mental health services in supporting a person's recovery and community integration. In community psychiatric practice, strengthening natural supports is a core rehabilitation goal, reflecting evidence that social connectedness is a significant predictor of long-term recovery outcomes. Editors should note that 'natural supports' is a compound noun requiring no hyphen, and should not be confused with 'peer supports' (which are provided by trained, often compensated individuals with lived experience) or 'formal supports' (paid professional services). The term is preferred over 'informal supports' in contemporary recovery-oriented documentation.
Usage
Usage note: Write as two words, no hyphen. 'Natural supports' is the preferred contemporary term; 'informal supports' is acceptable but older. Distinguish clearly from 'peer support,' which denotes a distinct, defined role.
In Context
- "The rehabilitation plan included specific goals for expanding the client's natural supports through involvement in a neighbourhood community garden." — Psychiatric rehabilitation plan
- "Editors should verify that 'natural supports' is not hyphenated and is not conflated with 'peer support services' elsewhere in the document." — Style guide annotation