The Lived Experience in Mental Health

**Description**
This is a collection of narratives from people (service users) and carers of
mental health clients. The narratives are presented along with information
regarding an array of common mental health disorders.

**Purpose**
The author states in his introduction that the book "provides a contextual
understanding of a person's daily experiences, encountered difficulties, coping
approaches and available support networks" of people living with mental health issues.

**Audience**
The author does not identify his intended audience. However, the book would
certainly offer an introduction to the lived experience of mental health
struggles for any students beginning a career where they may care for clients
suffering with mental health disorders. Unfortunately, the author does not
share his credentials other than as a lecturer in nursing. This in itself is
not enough to determine whether he has any expertise in the area.

**Features**
The book is divided into three sections. The first defines what narratives are
and describes the usefulness to the learner of lived experiences. The second
presents the narratives of clients struggling with mental health issues. The
third provides links to references and media sources that also offer narratives
of people with mental health issues. As a U.K. book, the resources are largely
from the U.K.

**Assessment**
This book offers a nice supplemental resource for teaching nursing students and
other disciplines about mental health disorders. It will help provide context
to mental health issues.

Laura Kelly, PhD, APN(Columbia University School of Nursing) - Doody's review

**Description**
This is a collection of narratives from people (service users) and carers of
mental health clients. The narratives are presented along with information
regarding an array of common mental health disorders.

**Purpose**
The author states in his introduction that the book "provides a contextual
understanding of a person's daily experiences, encountered difficulties, coping
approaches and available support networks" of people living with mental health issues.

**Audience**
The author does not identify his intended audience. However, the book would
certainly offer an introduction to the lived experience of mental health
struggles for any students beginning a career where they may care for clients
suffering with mental health disorders. Unfortunately, the author does not
share his credentials other than as a lecturer in nursing. This in itself is
not enough to determine whether he has any expertise in the area.

**Features**
The book is divided into three sections. The first defines what narratives are
and describes the usefulness to the learner of lived experiences. The second
presents the narratives of clients struggling with mental health issues. The
third provides links to references and media sources that also offer narratives
of people with mental health issues. As a U.K. book, the resources are largely
from the U.K.

**Assessment**
This book offers a nice supplemental resource for teaching nursing students and
other disciplines about mental health disorders. It will help provide context
to mental health issues.

Laura Kelly, PhD, APN(Columbia University School of Nursing) - Doody's review