Maddi Faith in conversation with Jerome Carson
| Pages | 13-16 |
| Date | 13 November 2019 |
| Published date | 13 November 2019 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/MHSI-08-2019-0023 |
| Author | Maddi Faith,Jerome Carson |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Mental health,Social inclusion |
Maddi Faith in conversation with
Jerome Carson
Maddi Faith and Jerome Carson
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this paper is to provide a profile of Maddi Faith.
Design/methodology/approach –In this single case study, Maddi gives a short background and the
origins of her mental health issues and is then interviewed by Jerome.
Findings –Maddi tells the authors how her problems developed in her childhood and of the journey she has
been on since.
Research limitations/implications –Single case studies provide a s ingle perspective. Yet a re they
of any less value than a commentary by an academic? On the contrary, many offer unique insights
into how the authors provide services for people with mental health problems, and of better ways to
help them.
Practical implications –Maddi raises the issue of “falling between services”, with the result that the
individual concerned does not receive the help they need.
Social implications –The persistent stigma of mental health problems is an issue that will need to be
addressed for decades if it is to be overcome. Personal witness is vital in tackling this issue. Maddi has
already done a lot to address this through her work at University.
Originality/value –The Trust the second author worked for, for many years used to have a staff “Made a
Difference”award. Maddi surely deserves such an award for her own efforts to develop our understanding of
the realities of mental health problems.
Keywords Stigma, Recovery, Support
Paper type Case study
Introduction
I have known Maddi for four years, but more closely in the final year of her studies. She has a
passion for mental health, seen in her writing on the topic and also in her advocacy for people
with mental health problems. This has led to her organising two mental health conferences and
bringing people to Bolton like Peter Bullimore and Rufus May. Her passion has developed from
her own lived experience. Anyway, let Maddi tell the story in her own words[…].
Brief biography of Maddi Faith
Born in Enniskille n, Northern Irela nd, raised in Kent, E ngland. I was born int o a military family,
with my father servi ng in the Army, leaving shortly after I was b orn. I grew up in a single-parent
household, just me and my mother after my parents got divorced. As a child, I was very athletic,
captain of a lot of the sports teams in pr imary school, but I was also ver y shy and reserved, and
I found it extremely difficult fitting in. I went to several different primary schools and moved
houses every coup le of years growing up . Looking back, this probably had a lot m ore impact
on my lack of ability t of it in with those around me and for m relationships. I was extre mely ill for a
prolonged period wh ere I was in and out of hospi tal around school, whi ch I think made me
withdrawn a lot from my peers. On top of this, I was heavily bullied throughout school with
peers calling me fat, ugly and wor thless, or pointing out m y speech impediment at the tim e.
The recurrent them e was that no one liked me, and I had no ide a why. I remember being a very
Maddi Faith and Jerome
Carson are both based at the
Department of Psychology,
University of Bolton,
Bolton, UK.
DOI 10.1108/MHSI-08-2019-0023 VOL. 24 NO. 1 2020, pp. 13-16, © Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 2042-8308
j
MENTALHEALTH AND SOCIAL INCLUSION
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PAG E 13
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