A Collective Voice of the Consumer: Indigenous Knowledge of the Mentally Ill
Abstract
I have two goals for this report. First, I hope to
relay the unique perspective of the consumer of which I was
privy to over the last three months of this ethnographic
research. Secondly, I want to use this study as a medium to
give voice to and ultimately empower those with mental
illness. This conviction to help consumers is shared by
consumers themselves as I saw in their willingness to offer
their insight. After conducting an interview, a consumer
said, "If this will help someone, then I'm happy to do it."
The general tone of my findings is concerned yet optimistic.
Many interviews reveal a great deal of improvement in the
quality of life among those with whom we spoke. Despite
their difficulties, many of those who suffer from mental
illness express a sense of optimism and hope in looking
toward the future and in improving their lives.
Many issues surfaced during the process of this three
month ethnographic research. Yet, to give this study focus,
clarity, and impact, the "indigenous knowledge" of consumers
will be underscored by relying on their own experiences.
The purpose is to highlight the perspective of the mentally
ill culture, therefore, the study will focus on their
thoughts, their words, and their ideas. Their experiences
will be tied together with certain themes and emphasized to
show the frequency of a certain perspective. Some of the
themes voiced by consumers include acceptance, advice,
religion, self-knowledge, and coping strategies, to name a
few.
There are two goals in presenting the material in this
way. The first is to help those who experience a mental
illness to be aware of ways others consumers live and cope.
At the same time, the informants will hopefully feel
empowered by using this study as a vehicle to express their
unique outlook. The second goal is to educate those who
haven't had any contact with the mentally ill culture and
society. My job is closer to a reporter relaying all the
facts rather than someone from the outside imposing their
own perspective and theories. To have a more powerful
effect, the study will let those who live with a mental
illness express themselves and their "indigenous knowledge".
Combating a stigma of consumers will be achieved by letting
them stand up and speak rather than doing it ourselves.