To continue the discussion re. whose interests it would serve to write up
the work with the mental health expressive arts group I mentioned . ..

The work with young mothers sounds interesting and the points about RAE and
publication are relevant for some but neither is really germane to the point
I was trying to make. I will try again.

It is precisely serving the interests of clinicians and psychologists which
concerns me and which I want to avoid.

This is not just about scepticism of the role and value of clinical
psychology though my bias is that mainstream clinical psychology with its
individualistic bias, one to one intra-psychic treatment default and
collusion with medical model assumptions is part of the problem rather than
part of the solution. I wonder if clinical psychology qua clinical
psychology is compatible with community psychology?

More importantly it seems to me that psychologists, collectively, already
spend massive amounts of time, effort and resources trying to promote their
own interests.

I have for a long time had reservations about setting up a special interest
group, section or division of the BPS precisely because of such concerns.
The last thing we need is yet another type of credentialed middle class
professional alien called 'community psychologist' to parachute into
communities.

There are already loads of talking shops and groups to promote the interests
of psychologists and such groups usually soon become preoccupied with their
own expansion or maintenance and power issues within and between it and
other bodies.

What I am looking for are not more ways to promote each others' interests
nor ways to provide new ways of working for clinical psychologists nor a new
specialism of community psychologist professionals but ways to work with
integrity and solidarity with community members to make a positive
difference. It is just not enough to 'think' that 'hopefully' people we work
with will benefit 'at the end of the day'?

Not only do we seldom make a positive difference but we sometimes make
things worse. Because of this I doubt whether reaching the widest possible
audience with publications is desirable. Given the oppressive distribution
of power in out society, whatever we do with whatever intentions can be used
to further disadvantage those we work with and for. I have found this with
my unemployment and mental health work certainly. If our work can be used as
a stick to beat the already disadvantaged, perhaps we are better to keep it
away from some stakeholders?

To come to the point, now the context is clearer, what interests me in
working with REACHOUT is to be of assistance to the group to promote their
effectiveness and thus to be part of a team promoting mental health and
reducing stigma and stereotype in relation to mental health issues. I want
to do this without treating members as subjects, participants, clients or
patients, as a source of data, as case study or as raw material for articles
wherever they might be published. I want to use my particular skills as
others do theirs in the group. Sometimes this might involve research and
writing skills but the prime interest group here is the group membership not
the academy or the profession. Sometimes publishing helps - as in making
future funding for the group more likely through constructing sources of
legitimisation beyond the local area. Usually it will serve no purpose
oither than to distract from the job in hand?

David


-----Original Message-----
From: annie mitchell
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: 21/02/2003 11:03
Subject: Re: research collaboration

Great reply, Wendy, I love your example of writing up more
locally. But it is hard for "academics" when our
institutions do not rate that sort of non RAE output and
tempting to be cynical - a feeling that with academic
output it is often merely insitutional insitutions whose
interests are being served, and that the criteria for (most
academic publications , with JCASP an honourable exception)
do not necessarily include the sorts of criteria that the
ppeople who we are trying to serve in the public sector
would rate (does the work share power, is it participatroy,
does it challenge inequalities, is it on topics that are
likely to meake a real difference to peoples' lives etc,
etc).
Annie

On Thu, 20 Feb 2003 09:54:01 -0000 "Franks, Wendy -
Clinical Psychologist"
<[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> Interesting work, you describe, David. 'Stirling work' made me
smile... a
> double-entendre? But whose interests would it serve to write it up?
>
> Well, I think it would serve the interests of people like me, who are
> working to bring community psychology ideas into our clinical work in
> practical and meaningful ways. And also the people with whom I work,
who
> would hopefully benefit at the end of the day. I think there are
issues
> about the best vehicle for dissemination of this work...in academic
> journals, or somewhere more accessible. Ideally both, so you reach the
> widest audience. Some work that I was involved with (a group - with a
mental
> health promotion agenda - for mothers of young children in an inner
city
> estate) was written about in our local press, as a way to promote the
group
> locally, and acknowledge the achievements of the women who made it
happen.
> The development of the group followed on from my ClinPsyD thesis
research,
> so I am also in the process of writing it up to submit for
publication.
>
> Why not write about the wonderful things you are involved in? Where
else
> will 'young' psychologists like me find our inspiration?
>
> Wendy
>
> COMMUNITYPSYCHUK - The discussion list for community psychology in the
UK.
> To unsubscribe or to change your details visit the website:
> http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/COMMUNITYPSYCHUK.HTML
> For any problems or queries, contact the list owner at
[log in to unmask]

Annie Mitchell
Lecturer in Psychology,
Clinical Director, Doctorate in Clinical and Community Psychology,

School of Psychology,
Washington Singer Building,
University of Exeter,
Exeter,
EX4 4QG

Phone 01392 264621 or
Liz Mears, Programme Administrator 01392 403184

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