Barbara Fawcett – författare

Mental distress is not exclusive to any particular group but touches the lives of people in all societies and walks of life; one in four of us will be affected by it in our lifetime. Yet the field of mental health is complex – fraught with differences in understanding and experience, variations in service provision, political agendas and professional discourses.This wide-ranging book explores a range of themes in the development of mental health policy and practice, in order to promote critical reflection and enhance understanding. Drawing on an international evidence base, it explores the historical, legal and socio-cultural dimensions of mental health, including:- Anti-discriminatory practice and the ethical tensions posed by legislation, particularly in relation to safeguarding and human rights- Trends and concerns in the field of child and adolescent mental health- The gender, ethnicity and age-related dimensions of mental ill-health- The challenges posed by dual diagnosis and faced by families and carersInternational Perspectives on Mental Health offers a multi-dimensional view of mental health and wellbeing, with the aim of opening up debate and inviting a more holistic conception of the field. It is required reading for students of mental health on professional and academic courses, as well as for practitioners in the health and social care field.

This important text will provide a critical analysis of contemporary developments in child care policy under New Labour and the resulting policy and practice implications. The authors will draw on sociological debates, the growing children's rights literature and wider developments within social policy in order to provide a thorough and balanced guide to contemporary developments in this rapidly changing field. Ideologies behind recent initiatives in a wide range of practice areas are explored, and the implementation of key developments are appraised. This will be primary reading for all students specializing in work with children and their families.

Although postmodernist theory has been related to and explored in sociology and social policy, this book is amongst the first to apply the theories to social work, and relate them to current debates. Contributors come from the UK, Australia, South Africa and Canada and many have professional experience as social workers. They appraise the key issues in the contested field of postmodernism and feminism and focus on their applications to practice, research and education in social work.

Although postmodernist theory has been related to and explored in sociology and social policy, this book is amongst the first to apply the theories to social work, and relate them to current debates. Contributors come from the UK, Australia, South Africa and Canada and many have professional experience as social workers. They appraise the key issues in the contested field of postmodernism and feminism and focus on their applications to practice, research and education in social work.

The authors explore theoretical developments and policy and practice initiatives in the complex and changing area of mental health services. They examine the tensions, dilemmas and opportunities now operating, including those relating to gender and ethnicity and places the involvement of users/survivors centre stage.Identifying and discussing the tensions between different professional models, varying ‘social’ perspectives and political imperatives, the book explores how these tensions are manifested in practice. Key topics include:the emphasis on risk as opposed to citizenship and entitlementsocial exclusion and inclusionprofessional and user perspectivesthe ‘territories’ of health and social care and their respective roles and relationships.An important theme running throughout is the critical appraisal of perspectives concerning gender, ethnicity and sexuality, drawing out wider issues of power and inequality. This book makes ideas and theoretical policy material accessible and applicable, and is a key text for students and practitioners in mental health, social work and social care.

The authors explore theoretical developments and policy and practice initiatives in the complex and changing area of mental health services. They examine the tensions, dilemmas and opportunities now operating, including those relating to gender and ethnicity and places the involvement of users/survivors centre stage.Identifying and discussing the tensions between different professional models, varying ‘social’ perspectives and political imperatives, the book explores how these tensions are manifested in practice. Key topics include:the emphasis on risk as opposed to citizenship and entitlementsocial exclusion and inclusionprofessional and user perspectivesthe ‘territories’ of health and social care and their respective roles and relationships.An important theme running throughout is the critical appraisal of perspectives concerning gender, ethnicity and sexuality, drawing out wider issues of power and inequality. This book makes ideas and theoretical policy material accessible and applicable, and is a key text for students and practitioners in mental health, social work and social care.

Everyone working in health and social care is at one point or another confronted by violent behaviour and its consequences. Addressing Violence, Abuse and Oppression provides a broad overview of violence in relation to a range of groups and areas that involve human service professionals. Adopting an international perspective, this book looks at the ways in which violence, abuse and oppression can be clearly associated with power imbalances which are often gendered and which are covertly or overtly manifested at a range of levels including the interpersonal as well as the organizational and the political. It explores debates and challenges with regard to theoretical orientations, policy frameworks and how power imbalances intersect with a range of influencing factors including gender, poverty, indigenous/ethnic issues, class and sexuality.Examining the implications for human service professionals, each chapter of Addressing Violence, Abuse and Oppression provides an historical overview, explores theoretical perspectives, examines specific policy and practice context, appraises the contribution from research and assesses the impact for individuals and groups.

Everyone working in health and social care is at one point or another confronted by violent behaviour and its consequences. Addressing Violence, Abuse and Oppression provides a broad overview of violence in relation to a range of groups and areas that involve human service professionals. Adopting an international perspective, this book looks at the ways in which violence, abuse and oppression can be clearly associated with power imbalances which are often gendered and which are covertly or overtly manifested at a range of levels including the interpersonal as well as the organizational and the political. It explores debates and challenges with regard to theoretical orientations, policy frameworks and how power imbalances intersect with a range of influencing factors including gender, poverty, indigenous/ethnic issues, class and sexuality.Examining the implications for human service professionals, each chapter of Addressing Violence, Abuse and Oppression provides an historical overview, explores theoretical perspectives, examines specific policy and practice context, appraises the contribution from research and assesses the impact for individuals and groups.

Feminist Perspectives on Disability provides a unique introduction to the key debates in relation to both feminism and disability. The author considers contemporary similarities, differences and contentious areas and how concepts drawn from postmodern feminism can be usefully applied to the disability arena.The book explores many important aspects of the field, including: biological debates; issues of power, knowledge, equality, difference, subjectivity and the body; interface of public and private/care and community; medical and social barriers; politics, citizenship and identity.Feminist Perspectives on Disability will be compulsory reading for students of all levels in Women's Studies, Gender Relations, Social Policy, Social Work/Social Care and social Science.

Written by a collection of experts in the field, this important new text provides a critical and constructive analysis of the ways in which service users and carers engage with health and social care services. Covering topics such as the importance of terminology, wellbeing and resilience and the notion of tokenism, and enhanced by a wealth of first-hand experiences and creative work by a range of service users and carers, the text examines how different forms of collaboration, participation and involvement (or lack of it) have contributed, and continue to contribute, to service development and the expansion of participant movements. With a strong focus on retrospective as well as prospective analysis, it encourages the reader to learn from both historical and current developments in service user and carer involvement in order to anticipate and inform future directions.This engaging and inspiring text is key reading for students on undergraduate and postgraduate social work programmes, as well as practitioners looking for a fresh new perspective.

Feminist Perspectives on Disability provides a unique introduction to the key debates in relation to both feminism and disability. The author considers contemporary similarities, differences and contentious areas and how concepts drawn from postmodern feminism can be usefully applied to the disability arena.The book explores many important aspects of the field, including: biological debates; issues of power, knowledge, equality, difference, subjectivity and the body; interface of public and private/care and community; medical and social barriers; politics, citizenship and identity.Feminist Perspectives on Disability will be compulsory reading for students of all levels in Women's Studies, Gender Relations, Social Policy, Social Work/Social Care and social Science.

This is timely new book examines the generally accepted understanding of the theory and practice of mental health. Drawing on historical and contemporary practices, it critically explores the concept of mental illness and how it is treated, the integration of health and social care, and providing a person-centred approach. As well as tackling more general aspects, such as how we categorise mental health and the contemporary practice around medication and treatment alternatives, it also focusses on specific areas currently labelled ‘mental illness’, including depression, anxiety, ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), and PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). Final chapters address the evidence for the effectiveness of psychopharmacology and the place of placebos in research and treatment, the importance of cultural sensitivity in a globalised world and the possibilities for the future practice in mental health services. The importance of non-medical alternative therapies and the incorporation of consumer perspectives in mental health service practice are highlighted throughout as a means of strengthening the experience of mental health service delivery for mental health professionals and consumers.Whether a student on a mental health nursing course, a social work student focussing on mental health, or a practitioner in the medical and allied health professions, this book is essential reading for anyone who wants a greater understanding of the theory and practice of mental health.