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.

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.

This ground-breaking book examines inequalities experienced by LGBT people and considers the role of social work in addressing them. The book is organised in three parts: the first provides a policy context in four countries, the second examines social work practice in tackling health inequalities, and part three considers research and pedagogic developments. The book's distinctive approach includes international contributions, practice vignettes and key theoretical perspectives in health inequalities, including social determinants of health, minority stress, ecological approaches and human rights. Lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans health inequalities is relevant to social work educators, practitioners and students, alongside an interdisciplinary audience interested in LGBT health inequalities.

This book brings lesbian and gay issues to the centre of the debate on anti-oppressive practice. It is an accessible and practical guide to the subject for all involved in student learning, aiming to provide practice teachers and educators with tools to help students develop their understanding of the effects of heterosexism as well as providing strategies for positive practice. Part 1 considers: c the social background, raising important issues about the ways in which lesbians and gay men are marginalised in society and the subsequent reflection in social work education and practice; c the legal framework within which social workers and probation officers operate, drawing attention to some of the tensions and dilemmas facing practitioners attempting to develop anti-discriminatory and anti-oppressive practice; c a framework within which to develop non-homophobic and non-heterosexist practice within the Diploma in Social Work, raising important issues which need to be addressed both within the academic institutions and the practice learning environment; c how to facilitate students' learning in relation to anti-discriminatory and anti-oppressive practice with lesbian and gay service users; c the assessment of students' competence within the academic and practice curriculum; c a model of good practice in working with lesbians and gay men, offering practical suggestions which can be incorporated into existing policies and procedures. Part 2 provides practical teaching and training materials including how to organise the training session, exercises and notes for trainers. these can be adapted to reflect individual or group needs, within the practice learning or academic environment.