Search results

1 – 10 of 131
Per page
102050
Citations:
Loading...
Access Restricted. View access options
Article
Publication date: 9 January 2025

Benjamin Thomas Gray and Matthew Sisto

The purpose of this viewpoint article is to describe the experience of recovery houses and peer work from the perspective of a service user (Ben). The current profile and…

2

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this viewpoint article is to describe the experience of recovery houses and peer work from the perspective of a service user (Ben). The current profile and visibility of recovery houses on mental health wards is low. Indeed, since Ben’s first diagnosis in 2003 and during the last 17 months as a peer worker the importance of recovery houses has not even been mentioned once by staff or service users. It should be noted that this article expresses the view of the first author (Ben) and not the co-author (Matthew).

Design/methodology/approach

This is also a service user narrative by Ben. He was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia in 2003 and spent two years in and out of the mental health unit where he is now a peer worker. Ben had a relapse in 2013 for about six months and then attended Ron Coleman’s and Karen Taylor’s Recovery Champions course and their recovery house on the Isle of Lewis, Scotland, where he first heard of the recovery approach and which improved Ben’s mental health. Ron and Karen’s organisation is called Working to Recovery. Ben is currently a peer worker on the same unit where he was once a patient and working with the Director of Patient Experience, Matthew Sisto. This article is based on lived experience as a service user and peer worker.

Findings

This article makes a case for and a case against the proposal to incorporate recovery houses more into the fabric of NHS mental health care as well as a possible alternative to psychiatric units. The main argument in this article is to suggest making recovery houses more mainstream, more of them and more accessible to those currently in traditional mental health units. Currently there are no formal mechanisms of discharge from hospital to recovery houses. Not one person on the wards where I was a patient since 2003 or peer worker in the last 17 months has been discharged to a recovery house. Recovery houses are a therapeutic alternative or complement to traditional psychiatric care. They could also have other potential benefits, such as decreasing bed blocking on psychiatric wards (service users who are well and waiting for accommodation), reducing risk of relapse and remedying the loneliness and isolation that is often faced by service users on discharge to the community (changing from being around a lot of people on the ward to no one and isolation at home). Recovery houses are in short supply and in need of scaling up (more of them). There is the need to increase the referral and accessibility of recovery houses for service users on mental health wards. Currently recovery houses offer short-term support, only a matter of weeks or months. They would be better if they offered longer periods and also ongoing support. Recovery houses would also benefit people with mental illness, their carers and others if they incorporated elements of peer support.

Originality/value

Recovery houses and peer support are relatively new approaches in the mental health journeys of people with mental illness. This article is important because it makes a case for/ case against and addresses the feasibility of incorporating the recovery approach and recovery houses into the quite antiquated and slow to change fabric of the conventional NHS. It considers traditional and alternative pathways of care and steps for change to make recovery houses more mainstream and accessible to NHS psychiatric patients (and even perhaps to replace conventional psychiatric care in the long run).

Details

Mental Health and Social Inclusion, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2042-8308

Keywords

Access Restricted. View access options
Article
Publication date: 1 February 1998

Ron Coleman, Liz Ellis and Mike Smith

This paper is a discussion of how an organisation providing community support developed its employment strategy to focus on gainful employment, valued employment roles…

28

Abstract

This paper is a discussion of how an organisation providing community support developed its employment strategy to focus on gainful employment, valued employment roles, citizenship and human rights, from a traditional model with support/activity workers and sheltered employment, to social firms, employment development and supported employment at differing levels.

Details

A Life in the Day, vol. 2 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1366-6282

Access Restricted. View access options
Article
Publication date: 14 August 2019

John McManus and Jerome Carson

The purpose of this paper is to provide a profile of John McManus.

55

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a profile of John McManus.

Design/methodology/approach

John provides a short life history and is then interviewed by Jerome.

Findings

John tells us about the insidious development of his illness and how for many years it was masked by substance abuse.

Research limitations/implications

As Patricia Deegan has stated, “Each person’s journey of recovery is unique” (Deegan, 1996). That is why we can learn so much from case studies like John’s.

Practical implications

John’s account shows the value of Early Intervention Teams. The service he received from his local team was “second to none”.

Social implications

John talks about the value of volunteering and how it helped him believe that he could once more play a constructive role in life.

Originality/value

There is no doubt that John benefitted from support from professionals, experts by experience and his family. Equally he was also open to all these sources of support.

Details

Mental Health and Social Inclusion, vol. 23 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2042-8308

Keywords

Access Restricted. View access options
Article
Publication date: 1 August 2008

Peter Bates and Peter Gilbert

The authors explore the concept of leaders as storytellers and suggest that this approach to leadership is helpful as a way of communicating effectively with people. The authors…

126

Abstract

The authors explore the concept of leaders as storytellers and suggest that this approach to leadership is helpful as a way of communicating effectively with people. The authors conclude that story skills are also helpful for people with mental health problems to create their own recovery stories, frontline staff designing their professional development and leaders negotiating organisational change.

Details

International Journal of Leadership in Public Services, vol. 4 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1747-9886

Keywords

Access Restricted. View access options
Article
Publication date: 1 May 2007

Emma Harding, Emily Brown, Rufus May and Mark Hayward

How can clinical psychologists promote social inclusion in their practice? Mark Hayward, Emily Brown, Rufus May and Emma Harding offer a variety of perspectives from professional…

807

Abstract

How can clinical psychologists promote social inclusion in their practice? Mark Hayward, Emily Brown, Rufus May and Emma Harding offer a variety of perspectives from professional and service user viewpoints.

Details

A Life in the Day, vol. 11 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1366-6282

Access Restricted. View access options
Article
Publication date: 13 April 2009

Louise Lingwood, Darren Bennett and Julie Bevan

Louise Lingwood, Darren Bennett and Julie Bevan describe the Recovery in Action Project, an exciting two‐year programme to embed recovery in the day‐to‐day practice of four…

70

Abstract

Louise Lingwood, Darren Bennett and Julie Bevan describe the Recovery in Action Project, an exciting two‐year programme to embed recovery in the day‐to‐day practice of four voluntary sector agencies.

Details

A Life in the Day, vol. 13 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1366-6282

Keywords

Access Restricted. View access options
Article
Publication date: 1 February 1998

Bob Grove

16

Abstract

Details

A Life in the Day, vol. 2 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1366-6282

Access Restricted. View access options
Article
Publication date: 1 May 2005

Tracey Austin

Introducing a new regular page listing reports, publications and training materials of relevance to readers. If you come across new publications, training materials, websites or…

29

Abstract

Introducing a new regular page listing reports, publications and training materials of relevance to readers. If you come across new publications, training materials, websites or other resources that might be of interest to other readers, please send details to Tracey Austin e tracey.austin1@btopenworld.com

Details

A Life in the Day, vol. 9 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1366-6282

Access Restricted. View access options
Article
Publication date: 17 August 2012

Peter Bullimore and Jerome Carson

This paper seeks to offer a profile of Peter Bullimore, one of the most dynamic lived experience speakers and trainers in the mental health world.

715

Abstract

Purpose

This paper seeks to offer a profile of Peter Bullimore, one of the most dynamic lived experience speakers and trainers in the mental health world.

Design/methodology/approach

A profile of Peter is built up through an in‐depth interview by psychologist Jerome Carson. Areas covered include: his experience of hearing voices; his work in Australia and New Zealand; stigma; recovery; inspiring individuals in mental health; his personal illness and medication; the media; and changes and challenges.

Findings

Peter tells us that hearing voices are signs of a problem not an illness, and are often linked to trauma. He feels British work on recovery is in advance of that in Australia and New Zealand. He sees a day when it will no longer be necessary to use the term schizophrenia. Instead of recovery people should be thinking of discovery.

Originality/value

For too long the only voices that have been heard in the mental health field have been the professional voices. Peter's is one of many new inspirational voices to have emerged from the developing service user movement.

Details

Mental Health and Social Inclusion, vol. 16 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2042-8308

Keywords

Access Restricted. View access options
Article
Publication date: 5 May 2023

Jerome Carson

This paper aims to provide a living tribute to the mental health activist and international trainer Peter Bullimore.

40

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to provide a living tribute to the mental health activist and international trainer Peter Bullimore.

Design/methodology/approach

Peter provided a list of people to who he wanted to provide tributes. Jerome approached all these people. All agreed.

Findings

Several people from around the world attest to the influence that Peter’s teaching and personality have had on their clinical practice and on their lives.

Research limitations/implications

The disappearance of an Open Mind has left a shortage of journals, which welcome the user perspective. Mental Health and Social Inclusion have always championed the voice of people with lived experience. These are selected tributes to one man’s work in the field of mental health.

Practical implications

These accounts provide insights into the work of a remarkable individual.

Social implications

Students of the mental health professions are mainly exposed to work produced by their peers. The history of mental health is filled with the stories of professionals, not the people who have used services.

Originality/value

Historically accounts of psychiatry are written by mental health professionals. Service user or lived experience accounts are often written from the perspective of the person’s story of illness and recovery. There are comparatively few, which celebrate the additional achievements of specific individuals with lived experience.

Details

Mental Health and Social Inclusion, vol. 28 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2042-8308

Keywords

1 – 10 of 131
Per page
102050