The Workplace Experiences, Practice, and Practice Knowledge of Mental Health Wounded Healers: A Collective Learning

Abstract

Mental health workers who draw upon their own lived experiences of mental health challenges in their work (Mental Health Wounded Healers) often face stigma, discrimination, and oppression (Sanism) in the workplace. This can drive them to remain silent about their mental health challenges, and lead them to navigate their work in isolation.

Through the use of reconvened focus groups, the study created a community where participants could feel safer to reflect on their workplace experiences and their knowledge.

Participants’ voices reflected a dominant medical narrative of mental health as well as two alternative narratives of resistance and connection. The narrative of resistance, mediated by anger and frustration, worked toward social change, and the narrative of connection, mediated by vulnerability, openness, and love, facilitated empathy and relationships. Research showed that these narratives mutually reinforce and extend each other, as these workers connect, learn, and organize toward change in mental health.