Jonathan Leach is a lecturer in mental health at The Open University, UK, and chair of Tandem, a mental health befriending organisation in Oxford, UK, where he lives. He is past Chair of the UK's National Vocational Rehabilitation Association and formerly lectured on a post-graduate disability and employment course at City University in London. Having previously spent ten years working in a mental health and employment voluntary sector organisation and another three years researching the support needs of students with mental health problems, Jonathan has had a long and practical interest in social aspects of mental health.

This accessible and persuasive book explores the meaning and value of both informal and organised social support for people with mental health problems. Written from the author's long experience in both voluntary and academic work, it is both a powerful and practical advocate for social support to be viewed as of equal significance as medical and psychological interventions, and is of direct relevance to everyone working in statutory and voluntary mental health services.

• Preface. 1. A friend in need? Rediscovering social support. 2. Social aspects of mental health and distress. 3. Understanding social support. 4. Close up and personal: the importance of supportive relationships. 5. Education matters: support in schools, colleges and universities. 6. Working it out: support in the workplace. 7. The bigger picture: communities, social networks and social support. 8. Making it happen. 9 Conclusion. References. Index.

Jonathan Leach is a lecturer in mental health at The Open University, UK, and chair of Tandem, a mental health befriending organisation in Oxford, UK, where he lives. He is past Chair of the UK's National Vocational Rehabilitation Association and formerly lectured on a post-graduate disability and employment course at City University in London. Having previously spent ten years working in a mental health and employment voluntary sector organisation and another three years researching the support needs of students with mental health problems, Jonathan has had a long and practical interest in social aspects of mental health.

This accessible and persuasive book explores the meaning and value of both informal and organised social support for people with mental health problems. Written from the author's long experience in both voluntary and academic work, it is both a powerful and practical advocate for social support to be viewed as of equal significance as medical and psychological interventions, and is of direct relevance to everyone working in statutory and voluntary mental health services.

• Preface. 1. A friend in need? Rediscovering social support. 2. Social aspects of mental health and distress. 3. Understanding social support. 4. Close up and personal: the importance of supportive relationships. 5. Education matters: support in schools, colleges and universities. 6. Working it out: support in the workplace. 7. The bigger picture: communities, social networks and social support. 8. Making it happen. 9 Conclusion. References. Index.

Jonathan Leach is a lecturer in mental health at The Open University, UK, and chair of Tandem, a mental health befriending organisation in Oxford, UK, where he lives. He is past Chair of the UK's National Vocational Rehabilitation Association and formerly lectured on a post-graduate disability and employment course at City University in London. Having previously spent ten years working in a mental health and employment voluntary sector organisation and another three years researching the support needs of students with mental health problems, Jonathan has had a long and practical interest in social aspects of mental health.

This accessible and persuasive book explores the meaning and value of both informal and organised social support for people with mental health problems. Written from the author's long experience in both voluntary and academic work, it is both a powerful and practical advocate for social support to be viewed as of equal significance as medical and psychological interventions, and is of direct relevance to everyone working in statutory and voluntary mental health services.

• Preface. 1. A friend in need? Rediscovering social support. 2. Social aspects of mental health and distress. 3. Understanding social support. 4. Close up and personal: the importance of supportive relationships. 5. Education matters: support in schools, colleges and universities. 6. Working it out: support in the workplace. 7. The bigger picture: communities, social networks and social support. 8. Making it happen. 9 Conclusion. References. Index.