Patsy Flanagan in conversation with Jerome Carson

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide a profile of Patsy Flanagan. Design/methodology/approach Patsy provides a short background to her life story and is then interviewed by Jerome. Findings Patsy shares with us a journey of suffering that started when she was only five, to today where she feels she has been saved by motherhood and would like to save others through her books. Research limitations/implications Case studies illustrate the complexities and the richness of human experience and help us understand mental health and mental illness better. Practical implications Patsy makes a heartfelt plea to those contemplating suicide, “I beg of you, reconsider. Life can improve”. Social implications To tackle the mental health epidemic we are witnessing, Patsy says we must start conversations about mental wellbeing in childhood. Schools have a vital role to play. Originality/value Patsy states that creativity and empathy can arise from suffering. Her own story bears witness to this.