How do we understand mental health problems in their social context?

A former BMA Medical Book of the Year award winner, this book provides a sociological analysis of major areas of mental health and illness. The book considers contemporary and historical aspects of sociology, social psychiatry, policy and therapeutic law to help students develop an in-depth and critical approach to this complex subject. New developments for the sixth edition include:

-Brand new chapter on aging and older people

-Updated material on social class, ethnicity, user involvement, young people and adolescence

-New coverage on prisons legalism and the rise of digital mental health management and delivery

A classic in its field, this well-established textbook offers a rich, contemporary and well-crafted overview of mental health and illness unrivalled by competitors and is essential reading for students and professionals studying a range of medical sociology and health-related courses. It is also highly suitable for trainee mental health workers in the fields of social work, nursing, clinical psychology and psychiatry.

This classic text book has for many years provided the definitive sociological lens with which to understand the range of conceptual approaches to understanding mental 'illness' in the historical journey from madness to emotional health and the complex interdisciplinary challenges of providing appropriate care or treatment to human distress and suffering. This updated edition continues to provide illuminating insights and clarifications not only for students but for academic researchers and scholars at all levels.

Gillian Bendelow, Professor in Sociology of Health and Medicine, School of Applied Social Science, University of Brighton

A Sociology of Mental Health and Illness is a sociological classic - for three decades now it has been essential reading for all sociologists (and other social scientists) wishing to learn more about mental (ill-)health and society, be they students or professional teachers and researchers. It has also long been a beacon, and will continue to guide, mental health practitioners keen to better understand and engage with the social dimensions of their work. A Sociology of Mental Health and Illness is an incomparable resource.

Professor Martyn Pickersgill, University of Edinburgh, UK

The relationship between sociology and mental health has been well documented over the years. Social factors such as poverty, social stress, socioeconomic disadvantages, inequality, social exclusion have been implicated for increased rates of mental health problems. Unfortunately, psychiatry has not engaged sufficiently with sociology. A Sociology of Mental Health and Illness has covered this disparity. The sixth edition is a most welcome addition updating social trends and new sociological material relevant to mental health, more emphasis on service users' participation and the emerged evidence base. It is a classic that should be an essential reading for all mental health professionals.

Nick Bouras, Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience

Anne Rogers is Professor of Medical Sociology & Health Systems Implementation at the University of Southampton.

David Pilgrim is Visiting Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Southampton.

This book is the second six week series in the Chakra Meditation Course developed to open your third eye and read the energy of your chakras. In this book, are the Meditation Stance, third eye opening meditation to view energy, connection to your higher self to receive understanding, working with clarity and karma, and how to replenish your energy space. Bonus meditations to look at your relationship to your spiritual path, healing meditation, how to tell the truth from a lie, astral reading and a chakra reading chart are all included in this course book. Learn Chakra Reading in meditation and teach it to others. Enjoy the Journey.

This book explores how people encounter, understand, live with and respond to health risks associated with social, economic and political inequality. Complementing a traditional public health approach, the book moves beyond a focus on categories of morbidity and their structural causes. Instead, it focuses on everyday understandings and actions for people living in unequal social conditions. Making use of a variety of case studies related to physical and mental health, the authors emphasise interpersonal relationships, biographical meanings and the daily tactics of 'getting by'. These are recurrently linked to the social-structural aspects of particular times and places.

The book:

• Draws upon, applies and extends the biopsychosocial approach, which is well known to students of public health.
• Respects and gives due weight to the experience in context of people who live with health inequalities, in domestic and local settings.
• Explores notions of personal agency and the contingencies of everyday life, in order to offer a focused psycho-social compliment to a public health tradition dominated by top-down reasoning.

This is an important read for all those seeking to understand the complexities of health inequalities holistically in their studies, research and practice. The book brings together thinking in the fields of public health, sociology, mental health and social policy.

The Open Access version of this book, available at http: //www.taylorfrancis.com, has been made available under a Creative Commons [Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives (CC-BY-NC-ND)] 4.0 license.

As a young man from a loving, middle class family living in a small English village, Ben Rogers appeared to have it all....but then he found drugs. As his life descended into chaos and despair, Ben began to chronicle his daily struggles with the aid of a video camera. He was hopeful that one day his experiences could be used to educate others. Ben lost his battle against addiction and died when he was 34 as a result of medical withdrawal. His family decided to release the tapes in the hope that other families could benefit. The result was the highly acclaimed, award winning SKY documentary, 'Ben, Diary of a Heroin Addict' which was shown on national television 27 times and ultimately across the world. Ben's mother, Anne, received hundreds of letters and messages, not only from addicts but also from families saying that the documentary had helped them realise that they weren't alone. The film took Ben's mum to the Home Office, with interviews on national television, radio and the press. She has spoken with many young offenders desperate to educate other youngsters about addiction and to honour her son's wishes. The book includes writings and drawings by Ben which give a unique insight into the chaos surrounding drug addiction. His brother and sisters contribute too to the story of a family living on the edge. 'Ben, Diary of a Heroin Addict - A Mother's Fight' is both an attack against the government's tolerance of addiction and a powerful and moving depiction of one family's love.

As a young man from a loving, middle class family living in a small English village, Ben Rogers appeared to have it all....but then he found drugs. As his life descended into chaos and despair, Ben began to chronicle his daily struggles with the aid of a video camera. He was hopeful that one day his experiences could be used to educate others. Ben lost his battle against addiction and died when he was 34 as a result of medical withdrawal. His family decided to release the tapes in the hope that other families could benefit. The result was the highly acclaimed, award winning SKY documentary, 'Ben, Diary of a Heroin Addict' which was shown on national television 27 times and ultimately across the world. Ben's mother, Anne, received hundreds of letters and messages, not only from addicts but also from families saying that the documentary had helped them realise that they weren't alone. The film took Ben's mum to the Home Office, with interviews on national television, radio and the press. She has spoken with many young offenders desperate to educate other youngsters about addiction and to honour her son's wishes. The book includes writings and drawings by Ben which give a unique insight into the chaos surrounding drug addiction. His brother and sisters contribute too to the story of a family living on the edge. 'Ben, Diary of a Heroin Addict - A Mother's Fight' is both an attack against the government's tolerance of addiction and a powerful and moving depiction of one family's love.

A former BMA Medical Book of the Year award winner, this book provides a sociological analysis of major areas of mental health and illness.

Description: THE SHIFT WORKER. Poetry that is about life, working mans poetry, some about love and some that are humorous, serious or just plain irreverent. Written in traditional rhyming style, each one is a short story in itself. A mixed bag of goodies and I hope enjoyable. Suitable for older children, teens & adults.

The second edition of this acclaimed book offers a critical analysis of the transition from institutional to community care for people with mental health problems. Despite the almost complete abandonment of the old Victorian asylum system, the powerful cultural legacy of segregation remains potent in modern thought.
Rogers and Pilgrim analyse the impact of new policies introduced by the Labour government since it came to power in 1997, identifying both the processes and causes of policy change and assessing its value in the context of longer term debates about madness and distress.

'How many general practitioners ended up in their roles thanks to a faint breeze nudging them in a given direction? How many successes resulted from failure? Some of the most successful practices were built up from nothing, and some of the happiest doctors spent time not being doctors. Despite the element that fate plays in career paths it is prudent to make plans - ' A career in general practice offers many options for further professional development. While some GPs prefer to concentrate primarily on their practice, others find additional fulfillment in teaching, research or international collaboration. Whichever path you choose, general practice promises a rewarding and exciting experience. This inspiring new book emphasises there is no single career path in general practice. Without being prescriptive, its practical approach helps you make life-changing decisions, prompts self-analysis and equips you with the tools to remain flexible, positive and reflective about your career. 'So - have you got what it takes to practise the 'medicine plus' which is today's general practice? This book, written and edited by colleagues many of whom have far more street cred than I, will help you decide. If you have, I wish you luck, fulfilment, and the gratification that comes from being a catalyst for good in the lives of your fellow human beings. If you have a role teaching and mentoring the next generation of GPs, you will find this book a persuasive ally. But if you decide that hospital medicine is your preferred option - well, that's fine. There would be no shame, if you find the ladder to general practice too steep, in settling for becoming a brain surgeon.' Roger Neighbour, in the Foreword 'Lively, extremely informative and engaging' Professor Roger Jones, Editor, British Journal of General Practice

No More Diets (A Guide To Healthy Eating). If you could improve any aspect of your health today, what would you choose? Would you want to be at your ideal weight? Feel and look younger? Avoid premature aging? Reduce or eliminate some diseases or illness? Not feel tired all the time, increase your energy? Anne Rogers is a qualified nutritionist. She spent 10 years doing research for this book. Many people have benefited from the advice in this book and have improved their health.

The second edition of this acclaimed book offers a critical analysis of the transition from institutional to community care for people with mental health problems. Despite the almost complete abandonment of the old Victorian asylum system, the powerful cultural legacy of segregation remains potent in modern thought.
Rogers and Pilgrim analyse the impact of new policies introduced by the Labour government since it came to power in 1997, identifying both the processes and causes of policy change and assessing its value in the context of longer term debates about madness and distress.

This book explores how people encounter, understand, live with and respond to health risks associated with social, economic and political inequality. Complementing a traditional public health approach, the book moves beyond a focus on categories of morbidity and their structural causes. Instead, it focuses on everyday understandings and actions for people living in unequal social conditions. Making use of a variety of case studies related to physical and mental health, the authors emphasise interpersonal relationships, biographical meanings and the daily tactics of 'getting by'. These are recurrently linked to the social-structural aspects of particular times and places.

The book:

• Draws upon, applies and extends the biopsychosocial approach, which is well known to students of public health.
• Respects and gives due weight to the experience in context of people who live with health inequalities, in domestic and local settings.
• Explores notions of personal agency and the contingencies of everyday life, in order to offer a focused psycho-social compliment to a public health tradition dominated by top-down reasoning.

This is an important read for all those seeking to understand the complexities of health inequalities holistically in their studies, research and practice. The book brings together thinking in the fields of public health, sociology, mental health and social policy.

The Open Access version of this book, available at http: //www.taylorfrancis.com, has been made available under a Creative Commons [Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives (CC-BY-NC-ND)] 4.0 license.