Remarkable lives: Stacey Withington in conversation with Jerome Carson

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a profile of Stacey Withington.

Design/methodology/approach

In this case study, Stacey provides a short account of her life and is then interviewed by Jerome.

Findings

Stacey details how she was able to transform her life, despite the traumas experienced in her life.

Research limitations/implications

Although many of us will not have experienced the difficulties that Stacey has, we are all able to empathise with her story. We now have the gift of her story, to borrow the phrase from Dr Julie Leibrich (Leibrich, 1999).

Practical implications

How many times must people complain about the delay in accessing counselling and mental health services before something is done to tackle the problem?

Social implications

A mother, a partner and a son, backed up by wonderful tutors and friends, helped Stacey find the strength and talent that she possessed within.

Originality/value

Stacey is the first person featured in this series to be called a SHEro. In truth and as Patricia Deegan has stated, “try and see the person with mental health problems that you are working with as a hero” (Deegan, 1996). As Pat also says, “Could you have survived what that person has survived?” Stacey has not just survived, she is now flourishing!

Citation

Withington, S. and Carson, J. (2021), "Remarkable lives: Stacey Withington in conversation with Jerome Carson", Mental Health and Social Inclusion, Vol. 25 No. 4, pp. 334-340. https://doi.org/10.1108/MHSI-09-2020-0063