Unraveling: An Autoethnography of Suicide and Renewal

Unraveling: An Autoethnography of Suicide and Renewal is a book that explores the relationship between trauma,marginality,and mental health,using evocative storytelling and critical reflection to cultivate empathy for the mentally ill. It is suitable for scholars in social sciences, communication studies, and healthcare, as well as those interested in firsthand accounts of madness.

Format: Hardback
Length: 198 pages
Publication date: 09 October 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Unraveling: An Autoethnography of Suicide and Renewal is a captivating autoethnographic narrative that delves into the intricate interplay between trauma, marginalization, and mental health. It follows the journey of Mike Alvarez, a young and precocious gay teenager from an immigrant Filipino family, as he grapples with the notion of mental illness. The book is divided into two parts, the first half of which employs evocative storytelling and in-the-moment narration to vividly depict the author's gradual descent into anxiety, paranoia, depression, and suicidality during their young adulthood. The second half of the book serves as a critical reflection on the story, encompassing a series of analytic chapters that explore the role of narrative in fostering empathy for individuals with mental illnesses, the challenges posed by the psychiatric-industrial complex, and the ethical dilemmas encountered by autoethnographers in their writings about self, others, and the social world.

This book holds immense relevance for scholars engaged in the fields of social sciences, communication studies, and healthcare, as it provides valuable insights into the use of autoethnography in research. It also appeals to those with a deep interest in firsthand accounts of madness, as told by members of marginalized communities. Through its rich and nuanced storytelling, Unraveling offers a profound exploration of the human experience, shedding light on the complexities of mental health, societal attitudes, and the power of narrative to challenge and transform our understanding of the world.

Weight: 553g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032346465