scholarly journals Personal storytelling in mental health recovery

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kate P. Nurser ◽  
Imogen Rushworth ◽  
Tom Shakespeare ◽  
Deirdre Williams
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Emotional Experience ◽  
Sense Of Self ◽  
Mental Health Recovery ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Recovery Movement ◽  
Positive Individual ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose Creating more positive individual narratives around illness and identity is at the heart of the mental health care recovery movement. Some recovery services explicitly use personal storytelling as an intervention. The purpose of this paper is to look at individual experiences of a personal storytelling intervention, a recovery college Telling My Story (TMS) course. Design/methodology/approach Eight participants who had attended the TMS course offered at a UK recovery college were interviewed. Data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Findings Five key themes, namely a highly emotional experience, feeling safe to disclose, renewed sense of self, two-way process and a novel opportunity, were emerged. Originality/value The findings suggest that storytelling can be a highly meaningful experience and an important part of the individual’s recovery journey. They also begin to identify elements of the storytelling process which might aid recovery, and point to pragmatic setting conditions for storytelling interventions to be helpful. More time could be dedicated to individuals telling their story within UK mental health services, and the authors can use this insight into the experience of personal storytelling to guide any future developments.

Our lives in three parts: an autoethnographic account of two undergraduates and their respective psychiatric careers

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 197-205
Author(s):  
Andrew Voyce ◽  
Jerome Carson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Life Experience ◽  
Clinical Psychologist ◽  
Recovery Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Recovery Movement ◽  
Partnership Approach ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide an autoethnographic account of the stories of a mental health professional and a mental health survivor. Design/methodology/approach Using the autoethnographic approach, the authors provide summaries of their respective psychiatric careers in three parts. Findings The authors studied at the same University, Reading. Voyce failed his Politics finals and embarked on a trajectory as a mental patient. Carson graduated in Psychology and trained as a clinical psychologist. The recovery movement brought them together, and they have now established an educational and personal bond. Research limitations/implications These are of course only two accounts, yet both authors have played a role in developing the recovery model in Britain. The accounts and story show the benefits of adopting a partnership approach between professional and service user. Practical implications Both accounts are recovery journeys in their own way. Both highlight the value of education for recovery. Social implications There is no doubt that clinical psychologists are both highly valued and well paid for their expertise. However, the expertise gained through Andrew’s life experience is equally invaluable for today’s mental health professionals to learn from, but perhaps not as well remunerated. Originality/value Both accounts stretch back over 45 years and have covered the move from institutional to community care. This paper presents two contrasting perspectives on these changes and the lives of the two people involved.

Two narratives: recovery journeys in mental health

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 105-110
Author(s):  
Andrew Voyce
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Medical Model ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Mental Health Recovery ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Recovery Models ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Model Approach

Purpose The purpose of this study is to compare lived recovery journeys in mental health with recovery models. Design/methodology/approach Unstructured interviews with prompts were conducted with two individuals. Findings Some recovery models correspond in part with the live experience of subjects. These narratives have personal emphasis that is incongruent with the highlighted models. In particular, the subjects have a place for therapeutic interventions, i.e. talking therapies and medication. Research limitations/implications The live experience of the two people with mental health issues crosses boundaries of recovery models. Relevant models include those used in peer support; however, they too do not fit exactly with the detailed journeys. Practical implications A varied approach without preconceptions is appropriate to understand the components of these two recovery journeys. Social implications The medical model approach to mental health is not discounted rather it is integral to these two recovery journeys. Originality/value This is qualitative research using stated models of mental health recovery. In addition to the principles of hope, meaning, connectedness, identity and empowerment, the two subjects include the essential part for medication and talking therapies in their recovery.

scholarly journals Feeling down and understanding depression

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-7
Author(s):  
Peter Cronin ◽  
Liam Peyton ◽  
Eddie Chaplin
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Learning Disabilities ◽  
Learning Disability ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Positive Mental Health ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Self Help ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to offer a perspective on depression and self-help from two experts with lived experience of learning disabilites. Design/methodology/approach This paper outlines the authors’ presentation and experiences at the recent Learning Disability Today conference. Findings The paper shares some things we can do to help our mental wellbeing. Originality/value This paper offers the view of two people with learning disabilities lived experience of depression. The paper also offers and insight into some of the strategies they use to manage and encourage positive mental health.

scholarly journals Why make the effort? Exploring recovery college engagement

2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leanne Harper ◽  
Mick McKeown
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Factors ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Mental Health Recovery ◽  
Valuable Contribution ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact

Purpose Whilst there is growing evidence to suggest that the recovery college (RC) environment supports students towards their mental health recovery (Meddings et al., 2015b), students’ initial motivations for engagement, alongside factors that may hinder or support attendance, have yet to be exclusively explored. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach All new RC students were invited to take part in a semi-structured interview three months following their enrolment. Four participants completed an interview which were later analysed using thematic analysis. Findings Four themes emerged within analysis: making the effort; being “too unwell”; friendly environment; and glad I came. These are discussed alongside the literature, and it is proposed that whilst there is a substantial struggle involved in engagement with a RC, likely related to mental health and social factors, the RC environment, peer support and support of the tutors helps students to overcome the impact of this. Research limitations/implications Due to the small sample size and exploratory stance of this study, additional research into the complexities around engagement with RCs is strongly recommended. Only students who had attended at least one RC course chose to participate in this study, therefore an under-researched population of non-attendees may provide a valuable contribution to further understanding. Originality/value This is one of the first studies to qualitatively explore factors which may support, or hinder, initial and ongoing engagement with a RC. It is proposed that a greater understanding of these important issues could be used to increase RC accessibility and inclusion.

scholarly journals An exploration of the emotional impact of organisational ethnography

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 304-316 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela Stephanie Mazzetti
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Emotional Experience ◽  
Research Process ◽  
Ethnographic Study ◽  
Emotional Impact ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Emotional Challenges ◽  
Ethnographic Studies ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to highlight the diverse and strong emotions experienced by the researcher when conducting an ethnographic study in an organisational setting. Design/methodology/approach In this paper extracts from research diaries written over a three-year organisational ethnography study period are presented to the reader. Findings This paper provides an insight into the range of emotions that are experienced throughout the various stages of the research process from securing access, to conducting fieldwork and writing up research for publication. Research limitations/implications Although this paper focusses on organisational ethnography, comparisons are drawn with related disciplines and as such, this paper may also be of interest to those conducting ethnographic studies in other fields. Practical implications It is hoped that the sharing of emotional experiences will better prepare new organisational researchers for the emotions they may experience in the field. Originality/value There is a recognised need for more sharing of emotional experience in organisational studies. It is hoped that this paper goes some way to highlighting these emotional challenges and providing a catalyst for other researchers to do the same.

Help yourself to our staff kitchen: a peer worker’s reflections on microaggressions

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 167-172 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aimee Sinclair
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Personal Narrative ◽  
Time Sharing ◽  
Support Worker ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Academic Literature ◽  
Worker Experience ◽  
Points Of Resistance ◽  
Insight Into

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide insight into the sanist microaggressions that peer workers face working in mental health and proposes ways in which peer workers and institutions may begin to challenge sanist practices within the sector.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is written as a personal narrative. It explores a “moment” in the life of the author as a peer support worker.FindingsPeer workers are often faced with sanist microaggressions on the job which can significantly affect peer workers’ capacity over time. Sharing our stories, identifying points of resistance and working collectively to challenge microaggressions are important to peer worker survival within the mental health system. Organisations that train or employ peer workers should be aware of sanist microaggressions and learn how to strategically respond to them.Originality/valueThe paper documents the experiences of the author. There is limited academic literature documenting peer worker experience of microaggressions.

scholarly journals The experiences of children in custody: a story of survival

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne-Marie Day
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Sense Of Self ◽  
Young Offender ◽  
Hostile Environment ◽  
England And Wales ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The World ◽  
Children’S Behaviour ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose This paper aims to explore children’s experiences during their time in custody in England and Wales. Design/methodology/approach A total of 48 children were interviewed, as part of a wider study on children’s pathways into, through and out of custody. The focus of this paper is on children’s experiences in young offender institutions. Findings The findings from this study suggest that children’s behaviour during incarceration can be understood largely as strategies for surviving the hostile environment in which they find themselves. Practical implications This paper seeks to make a series of recommendations for practitioner and policymakers, based on the findings of this study. Originality/value The findings from this study suggest that children’s behaviour during incarceration can be understood largely as strategies for surviving the hostile environment in which they find themselves. This paper seeks to highlight specific elements of this environment and offers an insight into how they may impact upon a child's sense of self and place in the world.

scholarly journals What does well-being mean to mental health peer workers?

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenny Edge ◽  
Susan Wheatley
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Occupational Science ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Analysis Design ◽  
Science Framework

Purpose This paper aims to gain a detailed understanding of their experience of well-being from the perspective of mental health peer workers. Design/methodology/approach An interpretative phenomenological analysis design using semi-structured interviews was conducted with four peer workers. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and then analysed using thematic analysis. Findings Participants described their experience of well-being in terms of a journey over time that followed an unpredictable course. They understood their well-being in terms of their engagement in occupations. An occupational science framework was used to understand the participants’ experience of their well-being in terms of doing, being and becoming. Originality/value This paper is among the first to approach the exploration of the experience of well-being for peer workers using an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis design.

A day in the life of a peer support worker: beginnings

2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 169-173
Author(s):  
Emma Watson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Support Worker ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Difficult Situations ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide an insight into the day-to-day challenges and experiences of a peer support worker. Design/methodology/approach – A reflective account of the experience of a first meeting with a peer, offering support through a series of difficult situations. Findings – Reflections are offered on the importance of relationships and overcoming feelings of disillusionment with mental health services. Originality/value – This paper adds to the small number of accounts of the experiences of Peer Support Working in mental health services and as such is highly original.

Mental health and its correlates: perspectives from two countries

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 100-112
Author(s):  
H.T. Xie
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Mental Health Recovery ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Usa

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe and compare the attributes of community dwelling adults with serious mental health illnesses in the USA and Singapore in terms of perception of mental health recovery and its correlates, namely, strengths self-efficacy, resourcefulness and stigma experience. Design/methodology/approach A convenience sample of 100 participants from each country participated in the study by completing self-administered questionnaires. Findings The results showed high overall scores in mental health recovery, strengths self-efficacy and resourcefulness in both countries with only a statistically significant difference between both countries in mental health recovery. Participants in both countries also experienced stigma. Research limitations/implications The study not only enhanced the focus on mental health and its correlates but also suggested the need for efforts to de-stigmatize mental health conditions which could impact on mental health recovery. Originality/value This paper is original and adds on to the knowledge base on mental health recovery and its correlates through the unique opportunity to review information from both countries.

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