StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...

Government Policies to Promote Inclusion in the UK - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
The essay "Government Policies to Promote Inclusion in the UK" focuses on the critical analysis of the effectiveness of some of the government policies that have been put forward to promote inclusion within the mental health sector in the United Kingdom…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER98.7% of users find it useful
Government Policies to Promote Inclusion in the UK
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Government Policies to Promote Inclusion in the UK"

Download file to see previous pages

Mental health is a contested and complex field where various people define it differently using terms such as mental illness, mental health problems, mental health issues, mental disorders, or distress. Terminology is very important when defining mental health as it may carry various implications. For example, MIND (2003) prefers to use the term mental distress and the Survivor Movement rejects the term mental illness because they are critical of psychiatry. In most of the literature that I have encountered the term mental health problem is widely used to indicate mental illness. Whereas the term was also criticized to reinforce the false stereotype that individuals who have such conditions are always problematic in the workplace (Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) and Department of Health (DOH), 2009). All these terms carry negative connotations and that is why I have preferred to use the term mental health issues in this project as I find it less oppressive, and note that there may be significant changes or improvements; the term “illness” implies a constant state.

Due to the complexity of mental health, various authors have defined the term in several ways; The Mental Health Foundation (2002) defines mental health as, a state of well being in which the individual realizes his or her abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and can make a contribution to his or her community. According to S (1) Mental Health Act (2007), the term is defined as “any disorder or disability of the mind”. In contrast, Moore (2002, p.434) defines it as “a general non-specific term used to describe a combination of physical, social and emotional factors that may affect individuals or the general population.” The term is complicated to define because there are many forms of mental health issues; neurosis; (depression, anxiety), psychosis; (schizophrenia, bipolar affective disorder) and post-traumatic stress.

This project will consider individuals with a range of mental health issues; from common health problems such as everyday stresses, anxiety disorders to the more acute forms of depression, and severe issues such as schizophrenia. The number of people affected by common mental health problems is estimated to be between one in six and one in four of the general population (Seymour and Grove, 2005; Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health (SCMH) 2007a). Whereas more severe problems such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia are experienced by around one in 100 people (Mental Health Foundation, 2003).

According to (Davis & Rinaldi, 2004; Leff & Warner, 2006) mental health was seen from the medical model which carried with it professional power and prescription. The medical model, as Hahn (1988, P. 2) described, “Imposes a presumption of biological or physiological inferiority upon disabled persons”. However, with the social model of recovery, many individuals with mental health issues have been integrated into work and have the desire to work. This model seeks to overcome disadvantages by adapting society to ensure that everyone’s abilities are accommodated (Priestly, 2000). Similarly, Repper and Perkins (2003, p.27) stated that the “social disability model entails a change in thinking i.e. a change in focus from symptoms and cures to people’s lives out with their illness”. In evidence of this, (Ridgeway, 2001; Secker et al, 2002; Seebohm and Secker, 2003) in Davis and Rinaldi (2004) are reported working within the social model of recovery as a method of removing the boundaries of clients in obtaining employment.

Similar to the social model is the recovery model. Repper, (2003) argued that the recovery model is seen in terms of the social model of disability rather than the medical model. The Recovery model was developed by Mary Ellan Copeland in (1989), whose work focuses on the study of day-to-day coping and wellness strategies of people who have experienced mental health challenges. There is no single agreed definition of recovery, however, the main message is that hope and restoration of a meaningful life are possible despite serious mental illness (Deegan, 1998; Anthony, 1993). According to MIND, the recovery model aims to see service users holistically and as complete people, who can cope with their distress in such a way that, they can participate in full life developing their self-esteem and self-determination (www.mind.gov.uk).

For generations, individuals who experience mental health issues have been ‘out of sight, out of mind’ (Perkins, 2009, P.6). Therefore, many people were ill-treated, neglected, and discriminated against due to a lack of understanding of mental health issues (Leff and Warner, 2006). According to Jodelet (1991), exclusion of individuals with mental health issues dates back to the 19th Century and part of the 20th Century, when they were discriminated against and referred to as lunatic, imbecile, mad or insane.

...Download file to see next pages Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Social Work Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 10000 words”, n.d.)
Social Work Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 10000 words. Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/other/1399849-social-work
(Social Work Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 10000 Words)
Social Work Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 10000 Words. https://studentshare.org/other/1399849-social-work.
“Social Work Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 10000 Words”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/other/1399849-social-work.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Government Policies to Promote Inclusion in the UK

Inclusive Education in the UK

This essay "Inclusive Education in the uk" shows that the United Kingdom has concentrated on establishing an inclusive education system.... Interpretation of the policies to those it affects is very important (O'Hanlon, 2003:15-20).... inclusion has a broad definition with varying definitions.... The sole objective of inclusion is to grant each learner an equal opportunity for transformative education.... inclusion shifts the focus of education from the teacher to the learner (Peters, 2004:8)....
8 Pages (2000 words) Essay

Government Higher Education Policies

Mostly, the education topic revolves around the advancement of children in society to promote productivity within individuals as they grow into active societal members (Spicker, 2011).... The paper "Government Higher Education policies" discusses that the high education policy reforms promoted an overall increase in individual productivity.... The government provision that is charged with intellectual development and professional societal accommodation is normally through education policies....
7 Pages (1750 words) Essay

Academic Approaches to Cultural Policy

The culture, media, and sports department in the uk aims at improving the citizens' quality of life through the formulation of an inclusive cultural policy that addresses all the concerns and areas of focus.... The department has the aim of making the uk an exciting destination for visitors and business people through the protection of culture and preserving national heritage (Great Britain, 2006, p.... Setting up institutions mandated to promote culture and art in a society or country is a vital aspect of cultural policy....
9 Pages (2250 words) Essay

Labour Policy of Inclusion

It is an unfortunate truth that the history of disabled persons in the uk is largely one of exclusion and marginalisation.... (2006)OverviewIn the uk, disability studies grew out of the increasing political consciousness of disabled people engaged in collective struggles for emancipation from a disabling society.... inclusion necessitates removal of Material Ideological Political Economic barriers that legitimate and reproduce inequality and discrimination in the lives of disabled people....
16 Pages (4000 words) Essay

Social inclusion policy

the uk, according to provisions of the EU Treaty, is not required to accept EU directives regarding immigration and asylum.... Generally speaking, the uk has rejected all proposals concerning illegal immigration but has accepted the majority of EU directives concerning legal immigration (Local Government International Bureau, 2005).... er legal, social and economic obstacles in an effort to better their living conditions while their presence gives cause for concern regarding perceived negative affects for European Union (EU) and uk residents....
4 Pages (1000 words) Essay

National and International Context of Inclusive Education

The paper "National and International Context of Inclusive Education" states that the national legislation and policies in the uk play a major role in giving guidance on the curriculum to adopt inclusive strategies effectively that makes it possible for children with SEND to access equal education.... Special Educational Needs Act was implemented in 2009, which highlighted the policies and legal rights of students with disabilities in the uk.... The National Association for Special Educational Need (NASEN) has classified students with special educational needs under three broad categories including School Action, School Action Plus and statement plus special education, which facilitates the implementation of policy and practice for students with SEND as well as inclusion in various educational institutions....
12 Pages (3000 words) Essay

Inclusion of Children with Disability in Education System in Australia

The author of the "inclusion of Children with Disability in Education System in Australia" paper looks at various aspects of inclusion practices that may adversely impact effective implementation, especially in reference to the Australian education system.... The inclusion primarily refers to children with disabilities who study in the common classroom.... Thus, there is also an urgent need to understand and address the factors that prove to be the major obstacles that must be overcome before parents, teachers, students, and administrators deem inclusion effective....
8 Pages (2000 words) Coursework

Gender Equity in Sports Policy at the US and the UK

.... ... ...
9 Pages (2250 words) Essay
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us