Few of us would want to be a user of psychiatric services. It is a status associated with fear, stigma, isolation and disadvantage. This book takes a closer look at the realities for people and how to deal with them. It shows what may begin as a painful and unwanted experience can pave the way for new understandings and life chances and how psychiatric service users are coming together to bring about changes benefiting us all.
Peter Beresford OBE, FAcSS, FRSA (born 1 May 1945) is a British academic, writer, researcher and activist best known for his work in the field of citizen participation and user involvement, areas of study he helped to create and develop. He is currently professor of citizen participation at the University of Essex and emeritus professor of social policy at Brunel University London. Much of his work has centred on including the viewpoints, lived experience and knowledge of disabled people, mental health and other long term service users in public policy, practice and learning. [Wikipedia]