In-patient Mental Health Care from the Asylum System to the Present Day

This book explores the transition from the asylum system to modern in-patient mental health care, addressing key challenges and ethical dilemmas throughout the journey.

This insightful book delves into the evolution and eventual dismantling of the Asylum system, providing a thorough examination of the key issues surrounding in-patient mental health care in the UK. By making comparisons with similar services worldwide, it offers a comprehensive perspective on the current landscape of mental health provision. The narrative is enriched by historical context, highlighting how past policies have shaped present practices.

In-patient Mental Health Care from the Asylum System to the Present Day combines narrative history with critical analysis and autoethnography, offering a unique critique of the ethical implications of early policy decisions. The book identifies ongoing challenges such as institutionalization, containment, and segregation, drawing parallels with the broader dilemmas of inclusion in public policy. It also addresses contemporary issues, including the impact of the Covid pandemic and the controversial role of electroconvulsive therapy in treatment.

The volume serves as a vital resource for academics, researchers, and policymakers interested in healthcare policy and the history of mental health services. It is particularly relevant for psychiatrists and mental health professionals who seek to understand the legacy of the asylum system in the UK and its implications for current practices. Overall, In-patient Mental Health Care from the Asylum System to the Present Day contributes significantly to the ongoing discourse surrounding in-patient mental health care in the 21st century.