This paper aims to explore the factors contributing to successful interventions in the field of mental health. First, we propose an overview of various strategies used by social workers in order to support the social integration of people with serious mental illnesses. In a more specific way, we review four theoretical approaches that having influenced the social work practice from the 60’s until our days: social reinsertion, psychiatric rehabilitation, recovery and resiliency. In the second part, the results of a consultation with key informants involved in the field of psychiatric rehabilitation are presented. On that basis, we have identified some of the ingredients which underlie the positive effects of intervention, in particular the contribution of hope in this process.