What is a Wellness Recovery Action Plan® (WRAP®) and how do I use it?
The Wellness Recovery Action Plan®, or WRAP®, is an evidence based practice that is used world-wide by people who are dealing with mental health challenges as well as medical conditions. Diabetes, weight gain, pain management, addictions, smoking, and trauma are just some of the many life challenges that can benefit from WRAP. WRAP can also be used as a framework to guide relationships in peer support, recovery groups, agencies, and organizations.
WRAP is being used in schools, prisons, hospitals, and veterans’ facilities. It is used with people of all ages who want to attain the highest possible level of wellness. It was originally developed by a group of people who lived with mental health difficulties and were searching for ways to resolve their wellness issues. WRAP was their answer, and it can be used by anyone looking to develop a plan to manage a path to wellness.
WRAP involves listing your personal resources, your Wellness Tools, and then using those resources to develop an Action Plan to use in specific situations which you determine. WRAP is adaptable for any situation and can include a Crisis Plan or Advance Directive.
WRAP is for Life! – It is for everyone, anytime, and for any of life's challenges.
[video with Mary Ellen Copeland] Click here to find out more about getting started with WRAP®
What's New?
New research review on Peer Support supports WRAP
Vermont Blueprint for Health rolls out WRAP
WRAP in the Criminal Justice System
Guide to Choices in Coming Off Medications
Media Corner
The Wellness Toolbox
WRAP® listed by National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practice
Click here for answers to your questions about Evidence-Based Practice
Resources:
Program Descriptions
Find out how agencies and other organizations are using WRAP.
Trainings
Interested in becoming a WRAP Facilitator? Go to the
Copeland Center for more info.
Check out our complete list of online courses including:
Develop and keep your WRAP online.
WRAP® One on One
Designed for people who are helping others develop WRAP® plans.
Coming Soon: WRAP for Life
Mary Ellen Copeland's latest book, WRAP for Life, is an extensive revision of her 1999 book, Winning Against Relapse.
The original book was written when the Wellness Recovery Action Plan was still in its infancy, and when WRAP was originally developed by, and for use by, people who experienced mental health issues. WRAP is now widely used both as a preventive strategy and as a way to address all types of life issues.
WRAP for Life includes sample WRAP Plans designed to address specific issues such as smoking cessation, weight loss, aging, diabetes, post-traumatic stress disorder, cancer, incarceration, and a special chapter on suicide.
WRAP for Life will be available this summer
Visit the bookstore for more books and resources
WRAP First!
I often find myself frustrated with the mental health and the medical health systems; systems that have often taught us that our first defense against a physical health, mental health, or life difficulty is reaching out to health care providers or some kind 
of invasive treatment or the use of a strategy that could have long term implications. These are systems that usually don't promote self-agency or prevention.
I wish we could all magically transform our thinking to "WRAP First". I think if we did that, many (not all of course) invasive treatments, hospitalizations, and long periods of discomfort and dis-ease could be avoided. Life could be so much more enjoyable. I am committed to spreading the word about "WRAP First". Let me explain...
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Copeland Center Summit
Please join the Copeland Center for a dynamic summit on WRAP, Peer Support, and Community
November 10 -12 State College, Pennsylvania
Opportunities will include: WRAP Facilitator Refresher Course • Seminar I: WRAP for Total Health • Exciting and informative sessions and speakers • Harnessing the power of peers through networking
Go the Copeland Center for more information and to register
WRAP for People with Developmental Distinctions
This recently released workbook is for adults who have their own unique way of learning and/ or communicating; people who we may refer to as having developmental disAbilities. It can be used as a plan to support a person in order to reach a self-identified life goal. This book was written with the assistance of four experts by experience, and you will read how each of them is living WRAP in his/her life. It contains Crisis and Post Crisis Plans and provides tips key supporters can use when assisting someone who may learn and/or communicate differently than you do.
Click on the book to go to the bookstore
View the WRAP for Developmental Distinctions webinar
WRAP in the Criminal Justice System
WRAP is successfully being implemented in a variety of ways with people involved in the Criminal Justice System.
Click here to read about how and where WRAP is working
Mary Ellen Copeland and her staff cannot address personal mental health problems and issues. We care very much about your concerns but we must focus our efforts on education and resource development. For more information on how to get help for yourself or the people you are supporting, please use the resources on this website.
© 1995-2014 Mary Ellen Copeland, PhD All Rights Reserved
