[log in to unmask]">Is this not dancing on the head of a pin? Do we discount the voice of Rufus May because he is a clinical psychologist and someone who has 'lived experience'. Is attracting 'Psy Professsionals' a sign of ilk mindedness? Is this 'ilk academics' at work? 

There is an appetite for change, the older order is rocking, the NSUN's of this world are growing in strength. What is critical psychology doing to help make sure change is deep seated and not the usual repackaging of the past order? Nit picking?

Richard

On Thu, Feb 14, 2013 at 2:20 AM, David Fryer <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

Hi Jacqui,

Thanks for elaborating. I'd like stick with the issue you raised about the Social Perspectives in Mental Health: Transforming Social Experiences conference for a while, and develop them a bit.

I was particularly interested by your remark that you are “very aware of the rhetoric of involving people in all aspects of service development, delivery and evaluation” By ‘aware’ amongst other things it is clear you mean you are determined to see if actions match the rhetoric of ‘inclusion’. Clearly inserting the word ‘transforming’ into the title of a conference does not make the conference transformatory and inserting the word ‘critical’ into the blurb does not make the event critical but it is useful to be reminded to look below the rhetoric.

Even a quick glance at the conference information is instructive? Those who 'should attend' the conference are psy- professionals of one ilk or another. The fee structure reflects that (£185 statutory orgs; £105 charities, £60: students) with a tokenistic reference to ‘a very limited number of free service user places are available on a "First Come, First Served" basis’. The presentations are by 3 professors and 2 drs. The stated emphasis is almost entirely on the ‘mental health system’, ‘service delivery’, ‘social care interventions’, ‘good practice’. The venue is the BPS (If the BPS charging a fee for use of premises etc., attenders are also funding an organisation promoting the interests of yet more psy complex professionals). EHI is a ‘social’ enterprise’ and there 16 Sponsorship options ranging between £50 and £700 each (A ‘small charity’ would have to pay £250 to have their logo and hyperlink on the conference website). What profits are projected and what would be done with them?

A whole lot of critical questions are posed for me, as they are for you, about ‘inclusion’ and whose interests are being served even before critique of the notion of inclusion (Into what? By whom? Through which processes? In whose interests? With what consequences? Etc.)

There are also the usual critical questions asked on this list about whether an aspiration to change ‘the experience of people using services’ is acceptable (CT could achieve that) or whether a critical aspiration should be to change the causes / constituting forces of that experience?

There are also questions about the appropriation of ways of community psychology writing and talking which may once have had radical implications, the stripping out from them of political dimensions and their use in marketing of the same old, same old.

Beyond this there are questions about the ways which survivors of psychiatry and members of 'service users' groups have used to use to resist the mainstream are increasingly being commandeered and deployed / disclosed / taught within the mainstream to function, whatever the intentions, to produce new forms of compliance.  

There are questions about whether – whatever the intentions of those involved - we are witnessing community psychology being commandeered and deployed entrepreneurially as the ideal form of psy to serve as servant to the current phase of neoliberalism?

David

From: jacqui lovell <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Wednesday, 13 February 2013, 11:46
Subject: Re: ply

I have written to them David and Richard, as I was a member of this organisation on the Executive Board, and am awaiting a response! I left to concentrate on my PhD and did think that this might happen, so am both sad and a bit disappointed to be honest! It's a constant battle isn't it David but thanks for your words of encouragement!!!   As someone with personal experience of mental distress and as a person who has worked with an organisation until recently, over a long period of time that was led and run by people who have and in some cases continue to use mental health services, I am very aware of the rhetoric of involving people in all aspects of service development, delivery and evaluation and I have an expectation that organisations which purport to take account of the social needs of people like SPN and to come from their perspective will also include their voices in among the other voices which get air time at events such as these. When I see that this is not happening then I work to challenge their ommission and to encourage others to notice their absence in any way I can, in the hope that next time they will think and take action to address this at events they may be planning or are attending.   Martin Baro and Freire talk about the need to stand in solidarity with people and for me this is one of the most important aspects of my work both academic and practical so I offer this example as a way of engaging with others on this list who I know like me endeavour to do the same. So my aim  in doing so is I think two fold, firstly to express my opinion that Conferences of this nature which are presented as "critical" are not so if they miss the "critical" point of inclusion and secondly to connect with people from this community from whom I at times draw strength to sustain me in my work with other people who are not seen or heard and certainly not taken account of within the delivery of what are supposed to be public services.   Hope that answers your question, cheers jacqui l          

Jacqui Lovell  

 

Date: Wed, 13 Feb 2013 00:34:20 +0000 From: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: FW: Social Perspectives in Mental Health Conference To: [log in to unmask] David and Jacqui

I didn't really explain myself very well. Psychology is very church like it splits into factions and sects at the turn of hat? Areas of commonality are eschewed in order to defend difference, faith and virtue? I almost fully understand the need to guard against and critically examine the motivations and 'progressive' rhetoric of the professionals.The conference under examination looks like a serious attempt to address issues of race power and social justice? This doesnt look like a group of apologists or misguided imperialists to me.

Critical psychology sometimes seems to be yet another church? Why dissect this particular conference? Is this the main issue for Community Psychology to get its teeth into at this time? Whats the point and how will this progress the sorts of change that is needed?

I am planning to launch a network linking Applied Psychologists working in Public Health in May. I will subject this to critical examination as I want this to make real difference and my critical credentials are questionable. The BPS has recently adopted Health and Wellbeing as one of its priority areas. I wonder who will help flesh out what this will mean in practice?

Richard

On Tue, Feb 12, 2013 at 9:41 PM, David Fryer <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

Hi Jacqui,

 

I think your observation / question is interesting and just the sort of post which is needed on a community psychology discussion list like this. I would be very interested in hearing more of your thoughts about this.

David

From: richard pemberton <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Wednesday, 13 February 2013, 2:26
Subject: Re: FW: Social Perspectives in Mental Health Conference

Jacqui

This sort of 'critical monopoly' email is a bit depressing. Lets keep the critical faith alive by dissing anyone who isnt following the true critical path? Alive but marginalised and politically inert?

Richard

On Tue, Feb 12, 2013 at 10:44 AM, jacqui lovell <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

I fail to see how this can be called "critical", is it just me? Check out the weblink for the line up of the usual suspects all professionals!!

jacqui l

 

From: Social Perspectives Network [mailto:Jean.Healy=[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Social Perspectives Network
Sent: 11 February 2013 23:39
To: =?utf-8?Q??=
Subject: Social Perspectives in Mental Health Conference

 

Ten free places allocated on a first come first served basis Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser.   Conference EHI/SPN Partnership Social Perspectives in Mental Health:Transforming Social Experiences 22nd APRIL 2013 | LONDON CONFERENCE This one day conference will critically examine how social models of mental distress and confusion can make a greater contribution to mental health service provision. Particular consideration will be given to the experiences of people using services and issues relating to cultural diversity. The day will explore how we can best incorporate these ideas in the mainstream mental health system, which is largely dominated by the medical model, so we can become more inclusive of these factors in practice and service delivery.   This one day conference will bring together clinicians who have experience in providing social care interventions across fields.  Learning points and good practice will be shared. The challenges experienced and possible limitations will also discussed.   Who Should attend? This conference will be relevant to all professionals in the field of Mental Health and Social Care, including those from Local Authorities and NHS trusts across the UK, Social Workers, Approved Mental Health Professionals, Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Psychotherapists, Counsellors, Early Intervention Teams, CPN’s, OT’s, Chaplains, Community Faith Leaders & Healers, Equality Leads, Community Development Workers, Service User Representatives, Charities, Third Sector, Educational Establishments, Academics and Policy makers Visit the Ethnic Health Initiative website to download a booking form and brochure. A very limited number of free service user places are available on a "First Come, First Served" basis. If you would like to apply for a free place, please email the bookings team directly.  follow on Twitter | friend on Facebook | forward to a friend  Copyright © 2013 Social Perspectives Network, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in at our website. If you would like to remove your name from this list, please reply with the word Unsubscribe in the subject line. Our mailing address is: Social Perspectives Network Virtual London, London no postcode United Kingdom Add us to your address book  unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences

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