How do we define mental health and ill-health? Who decides what evidence indicates mental ill-health and which evidence is used to inform policy and practice?
At the beginning of the twenty-first century, mental health services in England and Wales are at a critical point in terms of their development. This book considers a number of key themes and tensions in relation to theory, policy, practice and research, emphasizing the complex relationships between these four areas and exploring the impact of service user, carer and professional perspectives.
Contemporary Mental Health Policy and Practice examines the tensions between different professional models, varying "social" perspectives and political imperatives and explores how these tensions are manifested in practice. Topics covered include:
the emphasis on risk as opposed to citizenship and entitlement;
social exclusion and inclusion;
professional and user perspectives;
the "territories" of health and social care and their respective roles and relationships.
An important theme running throughout is the critical appraisal of perspectives concerning gender, ethnicity and sexuality, drawing out wider issues of power and inequality.
"Contemporary Mental Health Policy and Practice" makes ideas and theoretical policy material accessible and applicable, and is a key text for students and practitioners in mental health, social work and social care.

Feminist Perspectives on Disability provides a unique introduction to the key debates in relation to both feminism and disability. The author considers contemporary similarities, differences and contentious areas and how concepts drawn from postmodern feminism can be usefully applied to the disability arena. The book explores many important aspects of the field, including: biological debates; issues of power, knowledge, equality, difference, subjectivity and the body; interface of public and private/care and community; medical and social barriers; politics, citizenship and identity. Feminist Perspectives on Disability will be compulsory reading for students of all levels in Women's Studies, Gender Relations, Social Policy, Social Work/Social Care and social Science.

Everyone working in health and social care is at one point or another confronted by violent behaviour and its consequences. Addressing Violence, Abuse and Oppression provides a broad overview of violence in relation to a range of groups and areas that involve human service professionals. Adopting an international perspective, this book looks at the ways in which violence, abuse and oppression can be clearly associated with power imbalances which are often gendered and which are covertly or overtly manifested at a range of levels including the interpersonal as well as the organizational and the political. It explores debates and challenges with regard to theoretical orientations, policy frameworks and how power imbalances intersect with a range of influencing factors including gender, poverty, indigenous/ethnic issues, class and sexuality. Examining the implications for human service professionals, each chapter of Addressing Violence, Abuse and Oppression provides an historical overview, explores theoretical perspectives, examines specific policy and practice context, appraises the contribution from research and assesses the impact for individuals and groups.

Everyone working in health and social care is at one point or another confronted by violent behaviour and its consequences. Addressing Violence, Abuse and Oppression provides a broad overview of violence in relation to a range of groups and areas that involve human service professionals. Adopting an international perspective, this book looks at the ways in which violence, abuse and oppression can be clearly associated with power imbalances which are often gendered and which are covertly or overtly manifested at a range of levels including the interpersonal as well as the organizational and the political. It explores debates and challenges with regard to theoretical orientations, policy frameworks and how power imbalances intersect with a range of influencing factors including gender, poverty, indigenous/ethnic issues, class and sexuality. Examining the implications for human service professionals, each chapter of Addressing Violence, Abuse and Oppression provides an historical overview, explores theoretical perspectives, examines specific policy and practice context, appraises the contribution from research and assesses the impact for individuals and groups.

How do we define mental health and ill-health? Who decides what evidence indicates mental ill-health and which evidence is used to inform policy and practice?
At the beginning of the twenty-first century, mental health services in England and Wales are at a critical point in terms of their development. This book considers a number of key themes and tensions in relation to theory, policy, practice and research, emphasizing the complex relationships between these four areas and exploring the impact of service user, carer and professional perspectives.
Contemporary Mental Health Policy and Practice examines the tensions between different professional models, varying "social" perspectives and political imperatives and explores how these tensions are manifested in practice. Topics covered include:
the emphasis on risk as opposed to citizenship and entitlement;
social exclusion and inclusion;
professional and user perspectives;
the "territories" of health and social care and their respective roles and relationships.
An important theme running throughout is the critical appraisal of perspectives concerning gender, ethnicity and sexuality, drawing out wider issues of power and inequality.
"Contemporary Mental Health Policy and Practice" makes ideas and theoretical policy material accessible and applicable, and is a key text for students and practitioners in mental health, social work and social care.

Feminist Perspectives on Disability provides a unique introduction to the key debates in relation to both feminism and disability. The author considers contemporary similarities, differences and contentious areas and how concepts drawn from postmodern feminism can be usefully applied to the disability arena. The book explores many important aspects of the field, including: biological debates; issues of power, knowledge, equality, difference, subjectivity and the body; interface of public and private/care and community; medical and social barriers; politics, citizenship and identity. Feminist Perspectives on Disability will be compulsory reading for students of all levels in Women's Studies, Gender Relations, Social Policy, Social Work/Social Care and social Science.

Although postmodernist theory has been related to and explored in sociology and social policy, this book is amongst the first to apply the theories to social work, and relate them to current debates. Contributors come from the UK, Australia, South Africa and Canada and many have professional experience as social workers. They appraise the key issues in the contested fields of postmodernism and feminism and focus on their applications to practice research and education in social work.

Appraising key issues in the contested fields of postmodernism and feminism, this text focuses on applications in relation to practice, research and education in social work. The contributors come from a range of countries (UK, Australia, South Africa and Canada) and many have professional experience as social workers. Although postmodernist theory has been related to and explored in sociology and social policy, this text applies the theories to social work, and relates them to late-20th-century debates.

How do you turn a really good idea into a really good question, and how do you turn this into successful research? Barbara Fawcett and Rosalie Pockett use their expertise as supervisors and researchers to provide you with the frameworks and the theoretical and practical guidance you need to design, carry out and communicate your research effectively. Using a range of examples that relate research to the real world, they demonstrate: how to develop research questions how to select appropriate theoretical frameworks how to integrate theoretical perspectives with empirical research how to gather and interpret data how to ensure that the research undertaken makes a difference. The authors' user-friendly approach emphasizes the importance of participation, collaboration and inclusivity, and examines worldviews and understandings of knowledge in order to enable greater critical reflection. Chapters provide guidance on achieving impact with your research, and feature reflective questions to enhance your engagement with the issues covered. This text is the ideal companion as you set about transforming your ideas into robust research.

How do you turn a really good idea into a really good question, and how do you turn this into successful research? Barbara Fawcett and Rosalie Pockett use their expertise as supervisors and researchers to provide you with the frameworks and the theoretical and practical guidance you need to design, carry out and communicate your research effectively. Using a range of examples that relate research to the real world, they demonstrate: how to develop research questions how to select appropriate theoretical frameworks how to integrate theoretical perspectives with empirical research how to gather and interpret data how to ensure that the research undertaken makes a difference. The authors' user-friendly approach emphasizes the importance of participation, collaboration and inclusivity, and examines worldviews and understandings of knowledge in order to enable greater critical reflection. Chapters provide guidance on achieving impact with your research, and feature reflective questions to enhance your engagement with the issues covered. This text is the ideal companion as you set about transforming your ideas into robust research.

This is timely new book examines the generally accepted understanding of the theory and practice of mental health. Drawing on historical and contemporary practices, it critically explores the concept of mental illness and how it is treated, the integration of health and social care, and providing a person-centred approach. As well as tackling more general aspects, such as how we categorise mental health and the contemporary practice around medication and treatment alternatives, it also focusses on specific areas currently labelled 'mental illness', including depression, anxiety, ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), and PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). Final chapters address the evidence for the effectiveness of psychopharmacology and the place of placebos in research and treatment, the importance of cultural sensitivity in a globalised world and the possibilities for the future practice in mental health services. The importance of non-medical alternative therapies and the incorporation of consumer perspectives in mental health service practice are highlighted throughout as a means of strengthening the experience of mental health service delivery for mental health professionals and consumers. Whether a student on a mental health nursing course, a social work student focussing on mental health, or a practitioner in the medical and allied health professions, this book is essential reading for anyone who wants a greater understanding of the theory and practice of mental health.

This important text will provide a critical analysis of contemporary developments in child care policy under New Labour and the resulting policy and practice implications. The authors will draw on sociological debates, the growing children's rights literature and wider developments within social policy in order to provide a thorough and balanced guide to contemporary developments in this rapidly changing field. Ideologies behind recent initiatives in a wide range of practice areas are explored, and the implementation of key developments are appraised. This will be primary reading for all students specializing in work with children and their families.