Introduction

This course takes you on a journey of discovery where you are invited to challenge ideas, both new and old, in relation to mental health. It is made up of a series of three extracts. The first extract, ‘Boundaries of explanation’, sets out the theme of boundaries: boundaries within and between groups; within and between explanatory frameworks; and within and between experiences of mental health and distress. The second extract, ‘Whose risk is it anyway?’, considers a critical account of the increasing focus on risk (particularly risk to others) in policies and professional practice since the 1980s. The third extract, ‘The business of madness’, looks at two controversial areas of mental health: the growth of mental health as a business, driven in part by market forces, and the profit motive.

Learning outcomes

After studying this course, you should be able to:

• Understand the complexity and dilemmas of diverse perspectives in the field of mental health and distress
• Understand the importance of service users/'survivors' experiences and perspectives
• Understand how mental health issues affect everyone
• Understand the range of risks faced by service users/'survivors' in their everyday lives.