The User Narratives

Abstract

In the previous chapters I have outlined the theoretical background as well as the methodological considerations to the research in this book. This chapter outlines eight narratives from mental health users: four who experienced the Bradford Home Treatment Service and four who experienced hospital treatment only. This is done to attempt comparison of the narratives. Further, the four users in each group represent male and female users and white and minority groups equally (that is, one white female, one white male, one minority female and one minority male), so the gender and ethnicity of users within each group are fairly represented here. Denzin (1997: 225) has stated,

The reflexive, epiphanic, messy text redefines the ethnographic project. The writer-as-scribe for the other also becomes a cultural critic: a person who voices interpretations about the events recorded and observed. At the same time, as the scribe of a messy text the writer shapes the poetic narrative representations that are brought to the people studied.

Consequently, the research work is a testing ground on which social science is ‘remade’ through new ethnographic approaches.

Last night, I just ended up… playing my old singles. Just to remember what it was like to be young again and stuff like that. So I’m playing all my David Bowie singles and stuff, and ‘Transformer’ and Lou Reed and all.

(Anne)