Recently in Mental Health Category

Liking sex is not a disorder, but endlessly expanding psychological diagnoses might be

By Adam McCulloch on March 10, 2010 11:22 AM | 1 Comment | No TrackBacks
Fitzpatrick-Mike-2.gifby Dr Michael Fitzpatrick

Early commentary on the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM V) of the American Psychiatric Association - due for publication in 2013 - has focused on the new range of sexual disorders. These include "absexuality" (the Mary Whitehouse syndrome of excitement at being appalled at displays of pornography), "hypersexuality" (the affliction of Tiger Woods, film stars and premiership footballers), and, so that nobody feels left out, "sexual arousal disorder" (experienced by people who are just not interested).
Continue reading Liking sex is not a disorder, but endlessly expanding psychological diagnoses might be.

Don't negate views of mental health service users

By Simeon Brody on October 6, 2009 12:28 PM | 1 Comment | No TrackBacks
Kay-Sheldon.jpgby Kay Sheldon

The experiences of people with severe mental health problems and our views on the services we receive have been overlooked for too long. My own experience of mental health problems and several periods in hospital is characterised by the lack of a meaningful voice. Having interviewed many hundreds of other service users as a Mental Health Act Commissioner, I know this is an experience shared by many.
Continue reading Don't negate views of mental health service users.

Kerrie Wooltorton - advance decision or tragic misunderstanding?

By Simeon Brody on October 6, 2009 12:02 PM | 5 Comments | No TrackBacks
Stuart-sorenson-60.jpgby Stuart Sorensen

In September 2007, 26 year old Kerrie Wooltorton swallowed poison before reporting to her local hospital to die. Upon arrival she presented clinical staff with a document which she described as a living will in which she had refused treatment.
Continue reading Kerrie Wooltorton - advance decision or tragic misunderstanding?.

Risk averse agencies are the enemy of personalisation

By Adam McCulloch on October 6, 2009 10:33 AM | 1 Comment | No TrackBacks
By Kaarina Elisabeth

Personalisation, I am in no doubt, would transform the lives of mental health service users and lead to better outcomes. Before I'd even heard of self-directed-support, I was lobbying for it. Why, I wondered, does nobody listen to my own assessment of my needs? There is one reason that appears to preoccupy the minds of everyone I've met involved in commissioning services: that of risk.

 
Continue reading Risk averse agencies are the enemy of personalisation.

Respect service users' belief systems, however bizarre

By Adam McCulloch on September 29, 2009 5:26 PM | 4 Comments | No TrackBacks
leaney for blog web.jpgby Nigel Leaney

Throughout history and across the world people have lived, and been willing to die, for their beliefs. Our belief systems form our values and our self-identity - what it is to be me. They are precious. Not many of us would like to be told that our view of the world is fundamentally wrong. So to treat people's beliefs as a symptom of an illness - delusions - to be eradicated by medication can cause a loss of self-esteem and disempowerment.

Continue reading Respect service users' belief systems, however bizarre.

Mental health tool is great at identifying exactly what we probably can't do

By Adam McCulloch on September 11, 2009 10:56 AM | 1 Comment | No TrackBacks
Corser, Peter web.jpgby Peter Corser

We are being asked to adopt the Yorkshire pathway for working with our client group - people with mental health problems. My initial glee has been dampened now it has been explained that this will not allow me to adopt a gruff manner and tell my clients to pull thee bloody socks up. Oh well.

Continue reading Mental health tool is great at identifying exactly what we probably can't do.

Social workers' bravery should be recognised and nurtured

By Adam McCulloch on September 4, 2009 1:55 PM | 5 Comments | No TrackBacks
Lloyd,-Paul-new.gifby Paul Lloyd

Nobody talks about bravery in social work but there are many situations in which social workers have to dig deep to use resources deep within themselves to be able to act professionally and safely. How do we address this in training and reverse the drop-out rate?

From my recollection of being a social work student and, from my experience as a practice assessor, I would argue that the importance of personal courage has never been recognised as a principle feature of professional practice as it is taught at colleges and in the field.  
However, in my role as a trade union officer I am confronted, on a daily basis, with courageous interventions carried out by social workers done so at considerable risk to their own professional and physical well-being.

Continue reading Social workers' bravery should be recognised and nurtured.

The magic of ritual

By Adam McCulloch on August 28, 2009 12:44 PM | No Comments | No TrackBacks
Nigel-Leaney.jpgby Nigel Leaney

Rituals are important to us but it is vital to banish those with negative connotations and develop new, positive ones

Ritual is important. It marks beginnings and closures that punctuate our lives. We all need a sense of our time passing and a space where we can be reflective and honour transitional events. Birthdays, anniversaries, important moments in our lives stream by in a seemingly endless procession, tracking down the years. Marking occasions as a ritual gives greater shape and structure to them and an added sense of meaning.

Continue reading The magic of ritual.

We need more experts by experience

By Adam McCulloch on August 28, 2009 12:34 PM | 1 Comment | No TrackBacks
by Kaarina Elisabeth
 
Harriet Harman believes that unless women are guaranteed positions in government, we won't get good government. She advocates positive discrimination, already employed for race and gender by various bodies. And it can be a good thing. It makes groups feel their views are represented.

Continue reading We need more experts by experience.

Cognitive behavioural therapy plan is just wishful thinking

By Simeon Brody on August 17, 2009 12:03 PM | 2 Comments | No TrackBacks
Fitzpatrick-Mike-2.gifby Michael Fitzpatrick

The idea that a short course of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) delivered by a rapidly trained therapist can make people happy and get them back to work is wishful thinking.
Continue reading Cognitive behavioural therapy plan is just wishful thinking.
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