From here to Recovery: One Service User’s Journey through a Mental Health Crisis: Some Reflections on Experience, Policy and Practice

Abstract

This article documents the experiences of a service user through a mental health crisis, the experience of detention under Section 136 of the Mental Health Act, admission to hospital and eventual recovery. It gives a unique first person account of the experience of a psychotic episode together with a reflective commentary based upon the service user's auto-ethnographic analysis of both the event itself and her medical records, which were obtained post-recovery, as well as interviews with professional practitioners. The reflective commentary considers the practice of various professionals encountered during the service user's illness, treatment and recovery. The service user, whilst critical of some of the treatment she received, has engaged in a positive way with her local police force, involving herself in training sessions for officers about good practice under the Mental Health Act.

Keywords::

• mental health
• service user
• recovery
• auto-ethnography

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Marilyn J. Gregory

Marilyn J. Gregory is a Lecturer in Social Work at the University of Sheffield. Prior to joining the university, she worked for 16 years as a probation officer and family court welfare officer and her research is on criminal justice practice and homicide followed by suicide. Address: Department of Sociological Studies, University of Sheffield, Elmfield, Northumberland Road, Sheffield S10 2TU, UK. [Email: [email protected]]

Alexandra Thompson

Alexandra Thompson is a mental health service user who is also a social work practitioner of 30 years standing. Alexandra Thompson is a nom de plume and all correspondence should be forwarded through Marilyn Gregory. Address: Department of Sociological Studies, University of Sheffield, Elmfield, Northumberland Road, Sheffield S10 2TU, UK.