Our lives in three parts: an autoethnographic account of two undergraduates and their respective psychiatric careers.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide an autoethnographic account of the stories of a mental health professional and a mental health survivor. Design/methodology/approach – Using the autoethnographic approach, Andrew and Jerome provide summaries of their respective psychiatric careers in three parts. Findings – Andrew and Jerome studied at the same University, Reading. Andrew failed his Politics finals and embarked on a trajectory as a mental patient. Jerome graduated in Psychology and trained as a clinical psychologist. The recovery movement brought them together and they have now established an educational and personal bond. Research limitations/implications – These are of course only two accounts, yet both authors have played a role in developing the recovery model in Britain. The accounts and story show the benefits of adopting a partnership approach between professional and service user. Practical implications – Both accounts are recovery journeys in their own way. Both highlight the value of education for recovery. Social implications – There is no doubt that clinical psychologists are both highly valued and well paid for their expertise. However, the expertise gained through Andrew’s life experience is equally invaluable for today’s mental health professionals to learn from, but perhaps not as well remunerated? Originality/value – Both accounts stretch back over 45 years and have covered the move from institutional to community care. This paper presents two contrasting perspectives on these changes and the lives of the two people involved