Sociology of Mental Health Study Group

Established in 2004, the group encompasses the sociological study of mental health and distress, with a focus on studying experiences of mental distress and of using mental health services. Also included in its compass is sociological work relating to learning disability. 

The group's aims are to:

• Heighten the profile of study in the area of sociology of mental health,
•  Provide a forum for the communication and discussion of work being carried out in the area,
•  Facilitate networking and information-sharing between those working within or having an interest in the sociology of mental health,
• Provide a forum of support for those interested in studying mental health and distress from a sociological perspective,
• Provide a core of expertise in the area of sociology of mental health that may be drawn upon for comment on relevant proposals or policies.

Membership

The Group is open to anyone and everyone with an interest. Please contact the convenors to join - everyone is welcome. A list of contact details and areas of interest of some Group members is provided below.

Members of the Sociology of Mental Health Study Group

Annual Report

The Sociology of Mental Health Study Group's Annual Report for 2008 is now available.

Activities

Please watch this space for forthcoming events.

Networking 

Sharing knowledge and information 

Key papers, articles or issues of interest or concern to members can be posted on this web site (for papers either as a reference or in full depending on copyright restrictions). Click here to view those current.

Commenting on Research Proposal or Governement Policy

Providing a core of expertise in the area of sociology of mental health, members will from time to time be invited to comment on research bids in the area. Members wishing to comment on Government policy or other related initiatives may also use the forum on specific occasions to seek others interested in doing so.

Archive of Activities

A panel session, 'Well-being and recovery: connecting natural and social worlds' took place at the BSA Annual Conference, 28-30th March 2008.  View Joe Sempick's paper, 'Being outside: exploring perceptions of nature and health in therapeutic gardens'.

The Study Group held its fourth AGM at the BSA Medical Sociology Group conference on 7th September 2007 in Liverpool. Click here to view the report.

The group hosted its second day symposium on the 22nd June 2007 at the University of Warwick. The theme of the event was Mental Health and Human Rights: Sociological Perspectives. Click here to view the programme from the day, and here to view the abstract book.  A report of the event is also available.  Selected presentations can be viewed as follows:

• Beyond libertarianism and the behavioural state: Towards a framework for analysing fundamental (mental health) rights, Mick Carpenter, University of Warwick;
• The ‘Rights’ of ‘Self-Harm Survivors’ and the Role of the State, Mark Cresswell, University of Manchester;
• The Annihilation of Subjective Experience in Schizophrenia Research: Whither Human Rights?, Alastair Morgan,  University of Nottingham, Tim Calton, University of Nottingham and Caroline Flood, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust;
• An investigation of controversies around human rights of patients with ADHD, Pooria Sarrami-Foroushani, University of Nottingham;
• The adverse effects of imprisonment on Deaf prisoners’ mental health: a Human Rights perspective?, Amy Izycky and Manjit Gahir, Nottinghamshire NHS Trust;
• Confidentiality in Mental Health Services: Negotiating the negotiated order?, Tony Evans, University of York;
• Experiences of Acute Mental Health Services among Black and Minority Ethnic Groups, Rubina Jasani, Sarah Pemberton and Laura Griffith, Warwick Medical School;

Third AGM at the BSA Medical Sociology Group Conference at Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh on 15th Sept. 2006.  Click here for a full report.

A panel session about Social Capital and Mental Health was held at the BSA Medical Sociology Conference (14-16 September. Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh).  Presentations were as follows: Jerry Tew,  'Reclaiming Bourdieu: finding a paradigm that fits the experience of mental health service users'; Martin Webber, 'Social Capital and Recovery from Depression'; Ross Graham, 'A Convivial Mutiny: Sticking up the Bank of Social Capital'.  The session was chaired by Lydia Lewis.

Panel session at the 2006 BSA Annual Conference (21-23 April, Harrogate International Centre) on the them of The Sociology of Mental Health: Continuity or Change?  Presentations were as follows:  Dr Peter Morrall on 'Post-Liberal Mental Health and the Status of Realism in Mental Health Policy' and Dr John Aggergaard Larsen, Insight in Mental Illness and Individualisation.  The session was co-organised and chaired by Dr Joanne Warner and Louise Woodward.

Second AGM at the BSA Medical Sociology Group Conference University of York on the 16th September 2005. Click here for the full report.

Held its first meeting at the BSA Medical Sociology Group conference on the 18th September 2004 and plans to hold this on an annual basis. Click here for a report of the first meeting.

Hosted its first one day symposium in Nottingham on 30th June 2005. Click here for a report of the event and on the following links to access selected papers presented at the event: Larsen;  Page;  Pilgrim;  Chidlaw;  Leze.   A special issue of the Journal of Mental Health based on this event is now available (Volume 16, issue 3; see ww.tandf.co.uk/journals/titles/09638237.asp).

Contact the Convenors

Co-Convenors

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