In this session you will hear from three psychiatrists who have successfully published fiction, in which they feature diverse representations of mental illness, extreme mental distress, professional practice including ethical and forensic issues, as well as explorations of the mind to improve public understanding and interest in the profession. Each of the three will present what took them into writing fiction, their process for preparing and delivering manuscripts, and to what extent the content is designed to:
Surface experiential perspectives that are not well understood and so tackle stigma as well as legitimise the views of service users.
Explore professional dilemmas and constraints and the challenges of being a psychiatrist delivering care through legislation and coercion, managing risk, yet at the same time being compassionate and caring and offering people as much choice and empowerment within the constraints of rising demands and limited resources.
Share their learning and development and career decisions, and how this information will help future psychiatrists navigate their careers to be fruitful and fulfilling.
This session aims to:
- Understand experiences of mental illness through fiction including people with mental illnesses.
- Convey the professional dilemmas, especially the use of legislation, coercion, alongside supporting as much empowerment and choice as is possible in different areas of practice.
- Show scientific advances in psychiatry through narrative methods for public education and engagement.
- Show colleagues and future psychiatrists the intriguing career paths that have taken the presenters from a clinical role to becoming authors, and what the stages and processes are, as well as the challenges and benefits.
Chair: Aileen O'Brien, South West London St George's NHS Trust
Humphrey Needham-Bennett, The Priory Group, London, United Kingdom
Tony Rao, King's College London, United Kingdom
Tim Stevens, Self employed author, London, United Kingdom
