Remarkable lives: Jen Waring in conversation with Jerome Carson

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a profile of Jen Waring.

Design/methodology/approach

Jen provides a short biographical description of her life. She is then interviewed by Jerome.

Findings

Jen talks about her long battle with mental health problems and what has sustained her over this time. She talks about the crucial importance of support from both loved ones and professionals, as well as medication.

Research limitations/implications

Single case studies are of course just one person’s story. Given Jen is an academic biologist, she not only has a unique way of looking at mental illness, she can see the potential of developing approaches in the biological understanding for people experiencing mental distress.

Practical implications

Jen’s account shows the need for long-term support for more severe mental health problems. There are no quick fixes! It also highlights the need for interventions at biological, psychological and social levels.

Social implications

People need “somewhere to live, someone to love and something meaningful to do” (Rachel Perkins). Many sufferers do not have all three. Services may only be able to provide two of these.

Originality/value

Accounts of mental illness recovery by academics can often provide the authors with amazing insights into the world of the mentally distressed. They can also serve as an inspiration to the many students who experience mental distress.

Citation

Waring, J. and Carson, J. (2016), "Remarkable lives: Jen Waring in conversation with Jerome Carson", Mental Health and Social Inclusion, Vol. 20 No. 3, pp. 153-159. https://doi.org/10.1108/MHSI-05-2016-0016