Creative Mental Health Recovery

Robert Hurst is an associate lecturer in the School of Psychology, University of Bolton. Alongside this, he is a practising person- centred counsellor, registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.Andrew Voyce is a researcher and lived experience consultant. He is the author of several peer reviewed papers and two books. He has guest lectured on mental health recovery to a wide array of university students in the UK. In 2024, Andrew was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Bolton.Jerome Carson is professor of psychology at the University of Bolton. A qualified clinical psychologist, Jerome’s main research interests are mental health recovery, positive psychology, autoethnography, and alcohol addiction.

This fascinating text achieves its intention of providing an accessible and informed perspective on the relationship between creativity and mental health recovery. The content is evocative and challenging and seeks to arouse the reader to explore their own relationship with creativity, whilst enabling the storyteller’s narrative to explore how creativity has influenced their recovery. The authors’ mutual respect for one another’s lived experience is evident and provides a unique perspective.--Annette Feakes, Senior Lecturer, University of BrightonThis book shows how lived experiences constitute an invaluable source of knowledge. It is a book of showing and telling, and of making meaning of the past, present, and possible futures. These concepts are beautifully woven together through the tapestry that this book offers, demonstrating how creativity is something lived, personal and accessible, providing a powerful resource to mental health and well-being.--Trude Klevan, Professor of Mental Health and Substance Use, University of South-Eastern NorwayThis book opens up exciting new vistas in understanding mental health recovery, by extending the Connectedness, Hope, Identity, Meaning and Empowerment (CHIME) Framework to incorporate the transformative and healing potential of Creativity (C-CHIME). Skillfully weaving individual accounts of how creative activities have impacted on recovery, a particular strength is the balanced focus both on benefits and possible harms. This book shows how creativity can bring light to the darkest of mental health experiences.--Mike Slade, Professor of Mental Health Recovery and Social Inclusion, University of Nottingham

• Chapter 1. IntroductionRobert Hurst, Heather Harrison, Andrew Voyce and Jerome CarsonChapter 2. Recovery Journeys in Mental HealthJerome CarsonChapter 3. CHIMERobert HurstChapter 4. Creativity and RecoveryRobert HurstChapter 5. What Has Brought Us Here?Robert Hurst, Andrew Voyce and Jerome CarsonChapter 6. StoryTeller: Jo MullenJo Mullen and Robert HurstChapter 7. StoryTeller: Michelle McNaryMichelle McNary and Robert HurstChapter 8. StoryTeller: Peter BullimorePeter Bullimore and Robert HurstChapter 9. StoryTeller: ANONANON and Robert HurstChapter 10. StoryTeller: Anna SextonAnna Sexton and Robert HurstChapter 11. Andrew’s StoryAndrew VoyceChapter 12. A New Model of Creativity In Recovery and C-CHIMERobert HurstChapter 13. ConclusionsRobert Hurst, Andrew Voyce and Jerome Carson