Originally published in 1985, this book focuses on British psychiatric policies, particularly in the 1920s, and 1950s when the main legislation concerning mental illness was passed. It approaches policy primarily as the outcome of the relationship between politicians' attitudes and those of professional groups in a specific social context. It examines the beliefs and theories of psychiatrists, nurses, psychologists and social workers, as well as the attitudes of government and MPs to mental illness, related services and its role in society. It is argued that the adherence to a medical-somatic view of mental illness by psychiatrists and politicians alike has led to the exclusion of viable alternatives, despite lip service being paid to some of them. It is shown that the issues of recent decades have important messages today, particularly in view of the 1982 amendments to the Mental Health Act and the debate about community services.

Originally published in 1985, this book focuses on British psychiatric policies, particularly in the 1920s, and 1950s when the main legislation concerning mental illness was passed. It approaches policy primarily as the outcome of the relationship between politicians' attitudes and those of professional groups in a specific social context. It examines the beliefs and theories of psychiatrists, nurses, psychologists and social workers, as well as the attitudes of government and MPs to mental illness, related services and its role in society. It is argued that the adherence to a medical-somatic view of mental illness by psychiatrists and politicians alike has led to the exclusion of viable alternatives, despite lip service being paid to some of them. It is shown that the issues of recent decades have important messages today, particularly in view of the 1982 amendments to the Mental Health Act and the debate about community services.

This book is a challenge to the enduring status and domination of bio-medical approaches in mental health services. Contributors from four continents argue that this domination, along with modernization and multidisciplinary work, will not improve people's lives unless social and psychological perspectives are appreciated and integrated. This implies new forms of relationships and social arrangements. Mental Health at the Crossroads: the Promise of the Psychosocial Approach is a timely analysis of the psychosocial approach as it resonates across the discipline divide, considering the past and future development. It is written from the perspectives of service users and carers, managers, practitioners, educators, researchers and policy makers, illustrated with case studies from Australia, Brazil, Italy, UK and the USA. This book presents an alternative approach to conventional thinking in mental health, providing a fascinating and valuable resource for those seeking new perspectives, grounded in theory with practice examples, in order to influence the current agenda and change practice.

As binge-watching and streaming lead to increasing amounts of content and screen time, understanding how domestic violence and abuse is portrayed in popular culture and its impact on DVA in our society is more important than ever. Amid current international attention on sexual harassment, abuse and exploitation initiated by the #MeToo movement, this collection demonstrates how networked communication is influencing activism, both online and in the real-world. The term gendered DVA recognises the wider gender inequality underpinning DVA, and intersecting inequalities such as race, social class, sexuality, age and disability. International contributors from Europe, the USA and Australia examine how DVA is represented in different media forms comprising film, television, newspapers, digital and social media, and TED lectures. The collection examines intimate partner abuse, child abuse, grooming and sexual exploitation, elder abuse and neglect, and abuse in LGBT relationships. Authors also analyse policy changes in relation to DVA, both progressive and regressive, together with topics such as moral panic in the media and trial by media. An in-depth and wide-ranging resource, this collection will be a valuable text for health and social care professionals, researchers, academics, undergraduate and postgraduate students, and people with lived experience of DVA.