Social Inclusion of People with Mental Illness

People with serious mental illness no longer spend years of their lives in psychiatric institutions. In developed countries, there has been a major shift in the focus of care from hospitals into the community. However, whilst it means those with mental illness are not confined, it does not guarantee they will be fully integrated into their communities. The barriers to full citizenship are partly due to the disabilities produced by their illnesses and partly by stigmatising and discriminatory attitudes of the public. This book analyses the causes of these barriers and suggests ways of dismantling them. The book is constructed in two parts: the first relates to social inclusion and the second to occupational inclusion. Throughout, the text is annotated with quotes from consumers, to illustrate their experience of the issues discussed. The innovations outlined are described in sufficient detail for the reader to implement them in their own practice.

• Takes an interdisciplinary approach including coverage of social, clinical and economic aspects • Describes innovative service interventions for use in clinical practice • Accessible to a wide range of readership groups

Foreword; 1. Introduction: Barriers to social and occupational integration; 2. The course of psychoses; 3. The nature of stigma; 4. Poverty and social disadvantage; 5. Ameliorating users’ symptoms; 6. Dismantling psychiatric institutions; 7. Reducing fear and discrimination among the public; 8. Tackling self-stigmatisation; 9. Overcoming obstacles to employment; 10. Economic obstacles to employment; 11. The spectrum of work programmes; 12. Social firms; 13. Innovative strategies; 14. Inclusion and empowerment of consumers.

BMA Book Awards 2007 - Highly commended

\'It covers in a comprehensive way the most important issues in the field. At the same time, it benefits from the authors\' long-lasting clinical and research experience in mental health services …\' Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica

\'This is an excellent small book containing essential but rarely available information for psychiatrists and for all mental health stakeholders including service users and families … it combines a discussion of important psycho-social deterimants of the disorders with well tested programs aimed at reducing their adverse impact and facilitate the full social integration of the service user. Beyond the description of facts arising from hard data, and not mere impressions, what is outstanding throughout the book is the repeated presence of themes and concepts that reinstate human rights values into a psychiatric practice that has pivoted around the power of the clinician and disempowered the user …this book suits the needs of all mental health stakeholders. For a psychiatric resident it is, simply, a must.\' Israel Journal of Psychiatry & Related Sciences

\'Julian Leff and Richard Warner are two of the key voices in contemporary social psychiatry. … a valuable introduction to anyone involved with severe mental illness, but has a wealth of detail for the specialist reader. … This is an excellent book, written with great compassion and with an emphasis on the person, citizenship and solutions.\' The British Journal of Psychiatry

\'… an excellent resource for clinicians, social activists, family members and consumer advocacy groups. The book is well written, replete with primary references, as well as illuminating glimpses into the lives of consumers … the authors address the topics in a respectful manner and clearly held a well-stated and justified position for social reform. Leff and Warner are cutting-edge and articulate as they delineate the steps that are required to make further progress in the area of community integration for the seriously mentally ill\' those with psychoses, schizophrenia and bipolar … An exciting aspect of the book is its cross-cultural viewpoint and global emphasis …\' Community Mental Health Journal

\'… a realistic and optimistic model for the social integration of people with mental illness, well informed by historical context, empirical findings and service-user perspectives. I would recommend this book to those who are interested in the historical and economic factors behind social exclusion and particularly to anyone who is involved in the mental health services and is concerned about the social inclusion of those who have come to use them.\' Journal of Mental Health