Writing and falling through the cracks
| Date | 26 December 2023 |
| Pages | 993-999 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/MHSI-11-2023-0125 |
| Published date | 26 December 2023 |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Mental health,Social inclusion |
| Author | Kirsty Lilley |
Writing and falling through the cracks
Kirsty Lilley
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of thispaper is to explore the many ways in which thosewho have experienced
early life adversity and trauma can continue to be failed within health-care settings and other
organisations. Theauthor explores the impact that repeated exposureto indifference and a lack of help
and support has on the ability to recover and rebuild a meaningful life. The author takes the reader
through a journey ofvarious autoethnographic vignettes to explorethe living experience of continuing to
be unseen.The author hopes to contribute to improving the lives of serviceusers.
Design/methodology/approach –The author has written about the many ways in which distressing
experiences and mental health difficulties were left unsupported by various professionals and
organisations.The writing is rich and evocative and givesvoice to the distress experienced from a lackof
caringattention.
Findings –The author concludes that whilst it has been painful to remember the varied ways people
with lived experience of early life trauma continue to be failed it has also been cathartic and helpful. It
is noted that the writing of these events brings some perspective and enables the author to limit the
potential for self-blame which is a regular feature of the psychology of those living with early-life
relational trauma. The writing of these events serves to highlight the ways institutions might improve
responses to those seeking support. The author concludes that this is a meaningful way to use such
harmful experiences.
Research limitations/implications –The author concludes that recovery and the ability to rebuild a
meaningful life after early-life trauma is often hindered and denied by the responses received when
seeking support from various institutions and people who may be able to intervene to prevent further
harm occurring. These testimonies may contribute to the wider learnings about the impacts and lived
experience of early life trauma and how institutions might support and encourage recovery.The author
notes the helpfulnessof writing about these experiencesto bring perspective and remind those who seek
help thatit is a great act of courage despite unhelpfulresponses.
Practical implications –The author has foundthat writing about these experiences helpsto soothe any
feelings of self-blamein terms of being unable to recover sooner from earlylife trauma and that recovery
and moving forward must be positionedas a social phenomenon and not a solely individual pursuit. It is
noted that writing about difficult experiences can be cathartic and bring fresh perspective and hope.
Contributing to ongoingresearch in terms of how helping professionals can respond wiselyis satisfying
and meaningfulfor the author.
Originality/value –This is the author’s firsthand and unique testimony of how easy it can be for survivors of
trauma to continue to be unseen and failed. The author also shows that there are many opportunities to
support and help which are inadvertently missed which contributes to ongoing distress. The author hopes
that the courage taken to write of these experiences will contribute to learningswithin many professions and
organisations of how to notice, support and help those in distress and living with the effects of early life
trauma. The author has found the writing of this paper to be meaningful. The process has helped the author
to make sense of previously distressing events. It is hoped it will be of value to the reader.
Keywords Education, Lived experience, Dismissal, Early-life trauma,Failed support, Unseen
Paper type Viewpoint
Introduction
September arrives and, in the garden, the last rose of summer wilts on its stem. Pale yellow
petals fall on the breeze which heralds the first hint of autumn coolness. Early morning light
seeps through the cracks in the wooden fence making patterns on the Cotswold’s stone
below. The light dances with the changing clouds above. Sitting on a weathered wooden
Kirsty Lilley is an
Independent Writer at
Moreton-in-Marsh, UK.
This is my small contribution.
DOI 10.1108/MHSI-11-2023-0125 VOL. 28 NO. 6 2024, pp. 993-999, ©Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 2042-8308 jMENTAL HEALTH AND SOCIAL INCLUSION jPAGE 993
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