Mental health practice and children: dogma, discourse, debate and practice

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    In the field of mental health, debates range along opposing axes with the protection of the public on one axis and the citizenship and human rights of the individual on the other. There is also considerable contestation for ideological and theoretical dominance about how mental distress should be viewed and responded to. Discourses alternatively emphasising protection, control and compulsion, and rights, citizenship autonomy and self-determination have added impetus when applied to children and young people. This is also a grouping denied a voice both in terms of individual treatment programmes and in the formulation of policy and practice. This article addresses the key debates and appraises the implications of changing policy and practice for children and young people experiencing mental distress in the UK. Although the discussion is located in a particular national context, the emergent themes have a much broader relevance for debates, policy and practice in the international arena.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)195-206
    Number of pages12
    JournalSocial Work in Mental Health
    Volume2
    Issue number2-3
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 8 Nov 2004

    Keywords

    • mental health
    • children
    • young people
    • medicalisation
    • user involvement

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