The Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) is a structured system for monitoring uncomfortable or distressing symptoms, as well as unhealthy habits or behavior patterns. Through planned responses, WRAP is also helpful in reducing, modifying, or eliminating those symptoms and/or creating the life change you want. It also includes instructions on developing advanced directives that instruct others on how to make decisions for you and to take care of and support you when your symptoms have made it impossible for you to do this for yourself.

The creator, Mary Ellen Copeland, MS, MA is a mental health recovery educator and author. Her focus is on self-help. She has learned the concepts, skills and strategies she teaches from her own personal experience with extreme mood swings and from her ongoing studies with people who experience psychiatric symptoms. Her teachings and writings include topics like getting a sense of hope, Wellness Tools, Wellness Recovery Action Planning, Relapse Prevention, and Crisis Planning to name a few. Her expertise is not related to psychiatric medications, psychiatry, or legal advocacy. She does not provide counseling services. The skills and strategies she teaches are not necessarily a replacement for other kinds of treatment, but complement any other treatment.