Editorial
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/13619322199600035 |
| Published date | 01 December 1996 |
| Date | 01 December 1996 |
| Pages | 4-4 |
| Author | Ingrid Barker |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care |
Editorial
Iam delighted to be given the opportunity to
act as guest editor for this particular issue of the
Mental Health Review
.The topic of user
empowerment in mental health has been close to
my heart for well over ten years. As a very junior
social worker,Isaw the realities of men with mental
illnesses in Salvation Army hostels, young black
people in psychiatric wards, elderly people in back
wards. I heard about the daily struggles people had
with benefits, housing, transport, work; and I felt
that here was a seriously disempowered group
whose sense of powerlessness was often compounded
by fear of compulsion under the Mental Health Act.
Like others in my position, I wanted to act to
improve matters.
In 1985 I found the opportunity to do so.
Together with service users and professionals from
around Britain, I heardat the World Federation of
Mental Health Congress about Dutch Patients
Councils and Advocacy systems, American users’
rights groups and Scandinavian efforts to present
alternative views of psychotropic drugs. Enthused
by these examples, I worked with users in
Nottingham to establish Patients Councils and
Advocacy.Others brought about the inception of
Survivors Speak Out. A surge of energy across the
country brought about many user empowerment
projects discussed in this issue of the
Mental
Health Review
.Over the last ten years, I have been
privileged to work with a number of user groups in
Nottingham, Newcastle, Bristol, Croydon and East
Surrey. In each case I have been humbled by the
extent of commitment and creativity demonstrated
by service users. It is my hope that this issue of the
Mental Health Review
will serve to celebrate their
achievements to date and encourage further progress.
Regular readers will realise that this issue of the
Mental Health Review
follows a slightly different
format from usual. This is in order to give space to
featurearticles which explorekey issues in some
depth. Following a framework article in which
Edward Peck and I update our description of user
empowerment efforts, first published in Power in
Strange Places in 1987, there are two articles written
by service users. Peter Campbell discusses the
successes and frustrations of user action over the
past ten years, suggesting that users’ efforts may, in
the current hostile public climate, succeed only in
preventing further disempowerment rather than
progress. Writing both as a user and as a highly
respected clinician, Rachel Perkins asks whether
users can be properly heard by those who treat
them. Drawing on her own experience and research,
she proposes some ways forward. Given the over-
representation of women in the mental health system,
it is important to highlight the issues unique to
them. Helen Smith does this in her article, What
do Women Want from Mental Health Services,and urges
purchasers in particular to bring these matters into
the mainstream of their thinking.
Some examples of user empowerment in practice
are offered in the case studies. The examples chosen
for inclusion hereareintended to be particularly
useful to
Mental Health Review
’s main readership
—health and social services managers. Bromley
User Group is working effectively with health
purchasers and the Avon Mental Health Measure
involves both health and social services purchasers.
Finally, on behalf of CMHSD and Pavilion
Publishing, thank you for your support of the
Mental Health Review
during its first year.
Hopefully,you have found it a useful tool in your
work and will want to renew your subscription for
next year.Details of how to do this are found on
page 26.
The next issue will look at mental health services
for people from minority groups. Yvonne Christie,
senior consultant in equality issues at CMHSD will
jointly edit this issue with Helen Smith.
Seasonal greetings and best wishes for the
new year.
EDITORIAL
Ingrid Barker
GUEST EDITOR
4 The Mental Health Review 1:4 ©Pavilion Publishing (Brighton) 1996
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