Includes bibliographical references and index.

pt. 1 LIVED EXPERIENCE AND LEARNING -- 1.Embracing lived experience -- Introduction -- Why do we need lived experience narratives? -- References -- 2.`I became involved to try to make a difference': Service user engagement -- Introduction -- Peer-led initiatives -- Service user involvement -- Concluding note -- References --

pt. 2 THE LIVED EXPERIENCE IN MENTAL HEALTH -- 3.`Standing on a cliff edge': Living with anxiety -- Introduction -- Section 1 Experiencing anxiety -- Section 2 Experiencing support -- Section 3 Living well -- References -- 4.`Walking in treacle': Living with depression -- Introduction -- What is depression? -- Section 1 Experiencing depression -- Section 2 Experiencing support -- Section 3 Living well -- References -- 5.`My brain won't slow down': Living with extremes of mood -- Introduction -- What is bipolar? -- Types -- Bipolar: `The celebrity's condition'? -- Section 1 Experiencing bipolar -- Section 2 Experiencing support -- Section 3 Living well -- References -- 6.`There's a storm inside': Living with altered reality -- Introduction -- What is psychosis/schizophrenia? -- Section 1 Experiencing psychosis -- Section 2 Experiencing support -- Section 3 Living well -- References -- 7.`Patching over the holes': Living with impaired cognition -- Introduction -- Section 1 Experiencing dementia -- Section 2 Experiencing support -- Section 3 Living beyond dementia -- References --

pt. 3 EMBRACING LIVED EXPERIENCE NARRATIVES -- 8.Narrative resources -- Anxiety -- Depression -- Bipolar -- Psychosis -- Dementia -- Generic -- Additional resources -- 9.Learning strategy -- Section 1 Strategy for learning -- Section 2 Learning approaches -- References.