This collection of chapters casts a critical eye on the concept of coproduction in our national mental health and learning disability services. Is it naive idealism? A one-way road to co-optioning the independent user/survivor movement? A major challenge to the hegemony of the psychiatric profession? The next progressive step in the shift away from medicalised care? Or is it simply unaffordable, unacceptable and unmanageable to policymakers, decision-takers and funding bodies? Contributors from across the mental health arena offer critical analysis and case examples of coproduction in principle and practice. Presented in three parts, the book describes the progression towards and the barriers that block the achievement of coproduction, the challenges it presents to the psychiatric and mental health professions, and finally, examples where progress has been made. The contributions demonstrate how users of services and their carers can be involved as equal partners in shaping the delivery of democratic, ethical, equitable mental health care in secure, acute and community settings.

Gathering together thoughts and visions of experienced practitioners, academics, educators and strategic leaders from around the world, this edited volume sheds light on the nature of chaplaincy and its role and significance within ever-changing contemporary healthcare systems. A wide range of issues central to spiritual care delivery are covered, including reflections on what it feels like to be cared for by a chaplain through illness; the nature of chaplaincy as a profession; and how chaplains can engage with healthcare institutions in ways that have integrity yet are also deeply spiritual. The focus throughout is that chaplaincy should not only be guidance for people in distress, as a form of crisis intervention, but is rather about helping to promote wellbeing and enhance people's quality of life. Where specialisms tend to fragment systems and individuals, this book seeks to show that true health and wellbeing can only be found through a holistic approach, and shows how chaplaincy can bring this to the table. This book is for anyone who recognises the centrality of spirituality for wellbeing, and wishes to see what that might look like in practice.