Overview
- Provides a critical analysis of mental health discourse and professional practice
- Turns critical psychology into practice
- Breaks down the barriers between 'professional' and 'non-professional' mental health care practices
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Table of contents (10 chapters)
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Front Matter
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Back Matter
Keywords
About this book
Reviews
“Carl Walker, Angie Hart, and Paul Hanna provide an insightful and at times humorous (Martian visitor) critique of the mental health system in the United Kingdom for people with ‘mental distress’ and ‘misery.’ The authors’ utilization of case studies adds a human face to problems and issues confronting individuals with severe and chronic mental illness. While research based, the authors’ deliberate and engaging writing style would appeal to diverse groups that might include policy makers, practitioners, academics, and students.” (David B. Jones, PsycCRITIQUES, Vol. 62 (51), December, 2017)
“In this book, Walker, Hart and Hanna present a refreshing critique of conventional responses to mental distress and argue for a radical shift. Through their examination of six diverse community based interventions they point to ways that community and social based approaches break through the dominant technologies of the biomedical approach by providing safe, compassionate, supportive, ‘helpful’ spaces that enable participants to redefine themselves outside of the boundaries of psy Institutions and celebrate their collective resilience. What is demonstrated in the case studies is how participants are resisting and overcoming oppression at the relational level and achieving well-being through these projects, and that alternative therapeutic relationships can be fostered where solidarity is the technology of change. This is valuable reading for students and an excellent resource for community based professionals.” (Liz Cunningham, President, European Community Psychology Association)
“Libraries around the world are full of psychology books written by distinguished scholars. Yet, the vast majority of these scholarly books offer a poor understanding of human distress and suffering. What is missing is the complex interplay of social-psychological experiences that are shaped by specific historical, cultural, political and economic dynamics. This book aims to fill this gap by offering a much-needed and more humane paradigm based on informal community and socially oriented approaches to psychological distress and well-being. This easy-to-read book is intended for a wide audience but it would be specifically useful in helping psychology students think about the psychological experiences of human beings in social, political and community terms.” (Professor Serdar Degirmencioglu, Former President of the European Community Psychology Association)
“Using a beguiling combination of good humour and serious analysis, the authors make the case firmly for the value of informal community-based practice of mental health care. This is a rich and compelling text which will be of enormous interest to academics, practitioners and service-users alike.” (Professor Steven Brown, University of Leicester, UK)
Authors and Affiliations
About the authors
Angie Hart is Professor of Child, Family and Community Health at the University of Brighton, UK.
Paul Hanna is Chartered Psychologist and Lecturer in Sustainable Tourism at the University of Surrey, UK.
Bibliographic Information
Book Title: Building a New Community Psychology of Mental Health
Book Subtitle: Spaces, Places, People and Activities
Authors: Carl Walker, Angie Hart, Paul Hanna
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-36099-1
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan London
eBook Packages: Behavioral Science and Psychology, Behavioral Science and Psychology (R0)
Copyright Information: The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s) 2017
Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-137-36098-4Published: 11 April 2017
Softcover ISBN: 978-1-349-67597-5Published: 04 November 2020
eBook ISBN: 978-1-137-36099-1Published: 31 March 2017
Edition Number: 1
Number of Pages: X, 199
Number of Illustrations: 7 illustrations in colour
Topics: Psychopathology, Clinical Psychology, Critical Psychology, Social Work and Community Development, Psychotherapy, Social Work