Purpose This paper examines the critical yet often overlooked relationship between social inclusion and mental health recovery, arguing that clinical treatment alone delivers incomplete outcomes when social exclusion remains unaddressed. The purpose of this paper is to establish social inclusion as a central component of mental health recovery frameworks rather than a supplementary consideration. Design/methodology/approach This conceptual paper synthesizes current research evidence on the bidirectional relationship between mental health and social exclusion, examining intervention studies across multiple domains (employment, housing, social connectedness, education). The analysis draws on systematic reviews, meta-analyses and implementation research to identify effective pathways and evidence-based interventions. The paper examines structural barriers, reviews outcome data from social inclusion programs and provides a comprehensive framework for integrating social interventions into mental health services. Findings Evidence demonstrates medium-to-large benefits of social inclusion interventions on depression and anxiety symptoms. Employment interventions (34% of reviewed programs), social connectedness programs (24%) and housing support (19%) show the strongest evidence base. Predictors of successful inclusion include competitive employment, stable housing, committed relationships and living with others. The research reveals that social exclusion both increases mental health risk and results from mental illness, creating self-reinforcing cycles that clinical treatment alone cannot break. Interventions addressing social domains demonstrate measurable improvements in both clinical outcomes and functional recovery. Originality/value This paper advances beyond symptom-focused recovery models by positioning social inclusion as foundational rather than secondary to mental health recovery. It provides an actionable framework integrating evidence across traditionally siloed domains and offers concrete implementation guidance for practitioners, policymakers and communities to transform mental health services toward genuinely recovery-oriented practice.
Joaquín Pardo (Mon,) studied this question.