Our lives in three parts: an autoethnographic account of two undergraduates and their respective psychiatric careers
Mental Health and Social Inclusion
ISSN: 2042-8308
Article publication date: 1 September 2020
Issue publication date: 28 November 2020
Abstract
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.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Both authors are grateful for all the help they have received over the years from colleagues and fellow travellers in mental health services. This paper is dedicated to Leonie, Andrew’s soulmate, who sadly died in March of this year. Requiescat in pace, Leonie.
Citation
Voyce, A. and Carson, J. (2020), "Our lives in three parts: an autoethnographic account of two undergraduates and their respective psychiatric careers", Mental Health and Social Inclusion, Vol. 24 No. 4, pp. 197-205. https://doi.org/10.1108/MHSI-07-2020-0045
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited