Editorial

Citation

Pozner, A. (2013), "Editorial", Mental Health and Social Inclusion, Vol. 17 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/MHSI-08-2013-0029

Editorial

Article Type: Editorial From: Mental Health and Social Inclusion, Volume 17, Issue 4.

Welcome to the winter issue of Mental Health and Social Inclusion journal.

Sophie Corlett's Policy Watch considers the use of the Mental Health Act to detain people in police custody and the use of physical restraint, and in particular face down restraint, in mental health settings in England.

Sue Holttum's Research Watch focuses on how to make social inclusion happen. She describes the ELSiTO project – a cross-European collaboration of professionals working with service users to explore social inclusion. She also examines the Open Art project in Essex and the extent to which it promotes social inclusion.

The latest Remarkable lives profile is of Jane Aldred who has used her journey of recovery as a basis for developing a “Supporting the Recovery Process” course and is also involved with a recovery academy. Jane is interviewed by Jerome Carson and they discuss how mental health services can be improved, recovery academies, the social model, medication, and philosophy.

Fabio Zucchelli and Syena Skinner offer an introduction to recovery colleges, followed by a profile of Central and North West London NHS Trust's Recovery College. The paper highlights the positive effects of recovery colleges for people using mental health services.

Alex Williams provides a follow up to her personal account of her journey to employment published in this journal 12 months ago. She reflects on becoming unwell whilst in full-time work, with fears of dismissal by her employer, as well as rejection by mental health services. It highlights job retention through support measures during a period of crisis, contrasted with factors which undermined a quicker return to good mental health.

Jenny McMillan describes the highly innovative Past in Mind project run by Herefordshire Mind which explored the relationship between the disciplines of archaeology and mental health recovery. It aimed to use that unexpected connection to offer new perspectives on the interpretation of the past, to combat stigma associated with mental illness, and to support participants’ personal journeys to better mental health.

Sylvia Christie describes the digital health service bigwhitewall.com, and how it has grown from a modest peer support forum to a 24/7, always-staffed service offering a range of services and expert support.

In the second of two papers, Robin Johnson completes a review of past and current approaches in the UK to meeting the more “complex” needs of individuals. He explores the dilemmas of commissioning, the development of personalisation approaches, the need to address power relations, and lessons from the introduction of the role of a “lead professional” in the Care Programme Approach.

Victoria Betton and Victoria Tomlinson discuss the opportunities and risks afforded by social media in day-to-day practice. The paper provides case studies of people experiencing mental health problems who are using social media as part of their recovery, to live well, and to challenge stigma.

And that's it from me … I’m stepping down as editor of this journal after nine fascinating years in the job. Many thanks to all those contributors who have provided inspiring accounts of their lives and projects over the last decade. And best wishes to all you readers around the world.

Adam Pozner