Michelle Walker in conversation with Jerome Carson

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1108/MHSI-01-2019-0003
Published date15 May 2019
Date15 May 2019
Pages71-75
AuthorMichelle Walker,Jerome Carson
Subject MatterHealth & social care,Mental health,Social inclusion
Michelle Walker in conversation with
Jerome Carson
Michelle Walker and Jerome Carson
Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide a profile of Michelle Walker.
Design/methodology/approach In this single case study, Michelle gives a short background to the
development of her depression and is then interviewed by Jerome.
Findings Michelle sets out the reasons she developed depression. These map onto the research
conducted by Brown and Harris some 50 years ago, showing how social factors can create a vulnerability to
develop depression.
Research limitations/implications Single case studies provide us with one persons narrative. That
narrative is, however, unique and can often offer us insights that are lost in large statistical surveys.
Practical implications Michelle found that the Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) approach really helped
her. However, she should never have had to wait as long as she did for that help. Mental health services must
respond quickly, even if only to offer a triage assessment.
Social implications Brown and Harris identified four key vulnerability factors for depression
in women. Michelle met three of these. How many other women are in a similar situation and are suffering
in silence?
Originality/value We can learn a lot from the factors that helped Michelle recover from her depressive
episode: medication, CBT, the support of her mother, education, finding her soulmate and, although she
does not say it, her own rugged determination and personal resilience.
Keywords Post-natal depression, Education, Resilience, CBT, Medication, Relationships
Paper type Case study
Introduction
Michelle was one of a number of Mastersstudents with a personal interest in mental health
issues. I had mentioned to a few of them about contributing to this series. One student had been
especially keen. When I approached her a few weeks later, she said she was too busy with
course work to write her own story. As I was wondering how I was going to commission the
next paper in the series, there was a knock on my office door. It was Michelle. Ive written that
account you asked us to write. Let Michelle share her narrative
Brief biography of Michelle Walker
I am a mother to three fantastic children but life has not always been easy and straight forward.
My first pregnancy and experience of being a mother were relatively unremarkable. I bonded
with my son and for all in tents and purposes l ife as a 22-year-old s ingle mum was great.
My next pregnancy w as not easy or straigh t forward. I was plag ued by various issues
throughout my pregnancy but still when my daughter was born everything seemed fine. Our
bond was perhaps not as strong, as she was jaundiced, and for the first five days of her life, she
was stuck in an incubator under ultraviolet light which meant I was not able to hold her as much
as I did for the first days after my sons birth.
This did not really h ave much of an impact on my relationshi p with her, what did wa s that
I had very little he lp from her dad in rega rds to looking after he r and this meant tha t I was
Michelle Walker and
Jerome Carson are both based
at the Department of
Psychology, University of
Bolton, Bolton, UK.
DOI 10.1108/MHSI-01-2019-0003 VOL. 23 NO. 2 2019, pp. 71-75, © Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 2042-8308
j
MENTALHEALTH AND SOCIAL INCLUSION
j
PAG E 71

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