Social Policy Mental health and disability Material, Reading, Books, Websites to support writing of essay below. Material from sources below have to be used/referenced in writing essay work Introduction Recent years have seen significant changes in the way society understands and responds to people with disabilities and those experiencing emotional distress. Understandings in the early-mid twentieth century conceptualised disabled people as subjects worthy of charity while, at the same time, understandings of human distress were gradually shifting from deviance to the ‘science’ of mental illness. This happened in a context where professional discourses and practices (of medicine, psychiatry and other allied health professions) were ascribed a dominant role in the ‘treatment’ of disability and human distress. A common feature of these professional responses was the incarceration and segregation of people who were disabled or ‘mad’. Within this practice the medicalisation of human suffering emerged as a dominant response. Today, these responses have shifted, driven in large part by people with disabilities and people with mental health problems themselves, who have challenged societal perceptions and professional practices. However, significant barriers and challenges remain in terms of them being recognised as citizens with the same human rights as others in society. This module aims to provide a critical understanding of key perspectives in the area of mental health and disability, and their implications for policy, research and practice. Its starting point is a critical approach which recognises the barriers and societal and professional contexts which have shaped people’s lives, and it explores how responses to mental distress and disability can be built upon the principles of human rights and social justice. Learning outcomes On successful completion of this module, students should be able to: • Identify and critically evaluate current discourses in the field of mental health and disability, as well as the key conceptual and policy developments shaping service provision. • Develop a knowledge base of emotional distress and disability and recognise its impact on service users, families and communities. • Recognise the contribution of societal and contextual factors in the experience of emotional distress and disability. • Recognise and apply the principles of (a) social justice and human rights (b) autonomy and self-determination (c) recovery-orientated practice; (d) service user involvement and advocacy. • Demonstrate an appreciation of values and ethical issues in mental health and disability. • Develop innovative ways of understanding and working with people experiencing emotional distress and / or disability.
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