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Experiences of being cared-for: the perspective of an expert-by-experience in mental health

journal contribution
posted on 2023-08-30, 19:35 authored by Joanna R. Fox
It is difficult to understand what it feels like for people with mental ill-health to be cared-for and supported by family members; this experience is often little-explored. Narratives about caring have been increasingly written alongside first-person accounts of recovery, however, there is a dearth of literature written to gain the perspective of being cared-for because of mental distress. Thus, using autoethnography, I present three critical incidents occurring at different points in my recovery to enable exploration of experiences of being cared-for. Firstly, a critical incident at the point of acute unwellness is introduced, secondly an incident during a consultation with a health professional is highlighted, and finally a moment of transition when embarking on an independent life with my husband-to-be is described. I use autoethnography to connect “the autobiographical and personal to the cultural, social, and political”. I consider how the identity of a carer is continually negotiated in a relationship with the service user in both the “private” and the “public” worlds during recovery. I reflect on how professionals can support both service users and carers in a triangle of care, by providing information and support, alongside promoting the development of independence and agency for the service user whilst in the caring relationship. Finally, I introduce a service model which promotes a family network approach to empower the service user, and highlight training programs on recovery that enable carers. I conclude by suggesting the potential of both approaches to support carers to promote the recovery of the service user.

History

Refereed

  • Yes

Volume

13

Page range

824542

Publication title

Frontiers in Psychiatry

ISSN

1664-0640

Publisher

Frontiers Media

File version

  • Accepted version

Language

  • eng

Legacy posted date

2022-02-15

Legacy creation date

2022-02-15

Legacy Faculty/School/Department

Faculty of Health, Education, Medicine & Social Care

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