Rip that whole book up - I've changed", life and work narratives of mental illness / Elizabeth Anne McKay (original) (raw)
Related papers
2017
In the UK, mental health service users are asked to "tell their stories" within clinical settings as a tool for diagnosis, formulation and treatment plans. Retelling, reliving and reflecting on traumatic and distressing experiences is not a benign activity. Yet the process of reframing lived experience within a personal narrative could support the development of: a more positive identity; self-management skills and improved social connections (Slade, 2009) and therefore contribute to mental health recovery. This is an exploration of my process as a wounded researcher in the development of a version of my narrative as an autoethnography. I developed a series of 54 vignettes that described memories of my lived experience. To start, I used memorable quotes - the voices of others within my narrative. Developing and analyzing my autoethnography was visceral. It highlighted aspects of my process (and the likely process of others) and raised many unresolved dilemmas. For example:...
Narratives of Mental Health Recovery
Brown, W. (2008). Narratives of Mental Health Recovery. [Refereed Journal Article]. Social Alternatives Journal, 27(4), 42-48. This article presents narratives of mental health recovery to investigate and better understand the journey towards recovery for individuals in Scotland. Findings from a research study conducted with this group suggest that recovery is a process – a life journey that has ups and downs. It amounts to much more than an absence of symptoms of illness. Although individual conceptualisations of recovery vary, common themes emerge that link recovery experiences. These include the central role of having hope and being optimistic about their future, having meaning and purpose in one’s life, being valued for social contributions and having trusting, respectful, and reciprocal relationships. Timely access to the right combination of treatment and supports can help individuals better navigate their recovery journeys. Findings provide evidence that people who experience mental health problems can have expertise of their own problems, and many of the most valuable lessons about recovery can be learned from these individuals. Narrators describe recovery as a transformative process sometimes ignited by a turning point, but often acknowledged through refl ection.
2008
There are many people who have helped to make this study possible and I wish to acknowledge the following people in particular. Firstly, my sincere thanks to the participants of the study. Your willingness to share your stories in such an open and powerful way was greatly appreciated. The courage and commitment shown in the stories was the inspiration that helped me to see this thesis through to its conclusion. Also worthy of the highest praise and gratitude are my supervisors, Clare Hocking and Liz Smythe. Thank you for your unwavering patience, support and wisdom. Through your coaching I have learnt the splendour of the simple and to trust the process. Thanks also to Ann Paddy who provided me with great support and supervision through the first phase of the study. I would also like to acknowledge Glenis "Granny" Cameron for her transcribing and her tremendous support and Jenni Tregoweth for her proof reading and kind encouragement. Many other people have provided support and allowed me room from other commitments so that I could complete this study. Thank you to my colleagues at Auckland University of Technology and my friends and family who are too many to name. I must acknowledge my parents in particular for their love and encouragement, which has gone far beyond the usual call of duty. Finally, to my beloved Janene, Ella and Amy, you are my world and I cannot thank you enough for the sacrifices made so that this thesis could be completed.
2019
846108_digital_supplement_clear for Mental Health Recovery Narratives and Their Impact on Recipients: Systematic Review and Narrative Synthesis by Stefan Rennick-Egglestone, Kate Morgan, Joy Llewellyn-Beardsley, Amy Ramsay, Rose McGranahan, Steve Gillard, Ada Hui, Fiona Ng, Justine Schneider, Susie Booth, Vanessa Pinfold, Larry Davidson, Donna Franklin, Simon Bradstreet, Simone Arbour and Mike Slade in The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry
Caroline Yeo, Stefan Rennick-Egglestone, Yasmin Ali, Victoria Armstrong, Marit Borg, Simon Bradstreet, Alison Faulkner, Donna Franklin, Trude Klevan, Joy Llewellyn-Beardsley, Katy Mottram, Fiona Ng, Julie Repper, Mike Slade, Jijian Voronka, James Wooldridge., 2023
In memory of James Wooldridge, who lent his expertise to this document, and who has been a valued collaborator and friend of our work.
The Qualitative Report, 2017
In the UK, mental health service users are asked to “tell their stories” within clinical settings as a tool for diagnosis, formulation and treatment plans. Retelling, reliving and reflecting on traumatic and distressing experiences is not a benign activity. Yet the process of reframing lived experience within a personal narrative could support the development of: a more positive identity; self-management skills and improved social connections (Slade, 2009) and therefore contribute to mental health recovery. This is an exploration of my process as a wounded researcher in the development of a version of my narrative as an autoethnography. I developed a series of 54 vignettes that described memories of my lived experience. To start, I used memorable quotes - the voices of others within my narrative. Developing and analyzing my autoethnography was visceral. It highlighted aspects of my process (and the likely process of others) and raised many unresolved dilemmas. For example: what was ...