This assignment asks you to critically evaluate current discourses in the field of mental health and disability, as well as the key conceptual and policy developments shaping service provision.

Mental health and disability

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 conceptualized 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.

Mental health and disability

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 medicalization 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 recognized as citizens with the same human rights as others in society.

Mental health and disability

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 recognizes 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.  https://youtu.be/MbDN080ZQt4

Mental health and disability

Develop a knowledge base of emotional distress and disability and recognize its impact on service users, families and communities. • Recognize the contribution of societal and contextual factors in the experience of emotional distress and disability. • Recognize 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. Assessment The assessment will be a 5,000 word assignment. You should select one essay title.

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