Overview

Human distress has historically been understood and responded to almost exclusively either as a biological disorder or a psychological deficit. This has led to the development of powerful structures, `mental health systems', that have dominated thinking and practice around mental health and been controlled by the psychiatric profession. Despite widespread recognition that such systems are often ineffective and can even be harmful, the bio-medical ethos, with its focus on `mental illness' and primary use of drug treatments, continues to prevail in mental health practices. This book showcases current projects that offer user-centred, context-informed, non-medical ways of helping people experiencing distress and overwhelm. The first section of the book includes projects located inside mainstream services that seek to influence change from within, including the education of future generations of practitioners. The second section describes projects that have established themselves as independent entities, outside mainstream structures and services, giving them the freedom to be truly radical in their approaches and influence by example. In a final section, the book looks at work aiming to challenge the wider societal influences that maintain the status quo and perpetuate factors that lead to mental distress and overwhelm.

Full Product Details

9781910919491

Table of Contents

Reviews

'This is a very welcome book. At a time when the biomedical ideology that informs the majority of mental health work across the planet is crumbling before our eyes, the need for positive examples of alternative approaches is great. The initiatives described in these diverse chapters are united by a commitment to a way of working in mental health that is based on relationships, values and finding meaning. They demonstrate that critical mental health practice is not simply about deconstructing current orthodoxies but is also about opening up new pathways to recovery and new ways of understanding mental health and healing' - Dr Pat Bracken, independent consultant psychiatrist; 'I would encourage anyone wanting to learn more about the limitations of current mental health care, and what to do about it, to read this book.' - Bob Diamond, clinical psychologist.

'This is a very welcome book. At a time when the biomedical ideology that informs the majority of mental health work across the planet is crumbling before our eyes, the need for positive examples of alternative approaches is great. The initiatives described in these diverse chapters are united by a commitment to a way of working in mental health that is based on relationships, values and finding meaning. They demonstrate that critical mental health practice is not simply about deconstructing current orthodoxies but is also about opening up new pathways to recovery and new ways of understanding mental health and healing' – Dr Pat Bracken, independent consultant psychiatrist; 'I would encourage anyone wanting to learn more about the limitations of current mental health care, and what to do about it, to read this book.’ – Bob Diamond, clinical psychologist.

Author Information

Harry Gijbels is a retired mental health nurse and academic with over 40 years of experience in challenging mental health practices and education. He continues to be actively engaged in this work, for example with the Hearing Voices Network Ireland; Lydia Sapouna is a Lecturer in the School of Applied Social Studies, University College Cork, Ireland. Her teaching, research and community contributions are primarily in the area of critical mental health, education and practice. She is very interested in the politics of mental health and the role of social activism in changing power imbalances in mental health systems. Lydia and Harry played a key role in the establishment of the Critical Voices Network Ireland and are co-organisers of the annual Critical Perspectives in Mental Health conference at University College Cork; Dr Gary Sidley is a freelance writer, trainer, blogger and conference speaker. He worked for 33 years in the NHS mental health service, first as a psychiatric nurse and then as a clinical psychologist. He is a vocal critic of bio-medical approaches to mental health and author of Tales from the Madhouse: An insider critique of psychiatric services, also published by PCCS Books.

Tab Content 6

Countries Available