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 Good Practice in Adult MentalHealth
 Edited by Tony Ryan and Jacki Pritchard,
 Jessica Kingsley Publishers
 ISBN 184310217X, £18.95

 STAR RATING: 4/5

Just about every aspect of mental health practice in the UK is covered in this, the 10th volume in the Good Practice series, writes Mike Young.

There are articles on multidisciplinary teams, gender and race in mental health, carers’ issues, and contributions from individual service users and from the service user movement. A psychiatrist outlines theories behind medical diagnoses and a solicitor writes on human rights law. One welcome inclusion is a chapter recognising the stresses of working in mental health and the importance of support to front-line practitioners.

Case studies are a helpful addition to the 18 chapters, as is a glossary. Sadly, there is little on spirituality which is becoming increasingly  important for practitioners in multi-cultural areas.

But this is the kind of book you should dip into regularly to remind yourself of different approaches to good practice. Highly recommended.

Mike Young is group manager, mental health, Kirklees Council