Editorial

Citation

Pozner, A. (2011), "Editorial", Mental Health and Social Inclusion, Vol. 15 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/mhsi.2011.55715baa.002

Editorial

Article Type: Editorial From: Mental Health and Social Inclusion, Volume 15, Issue 2

Welcome to the May issue of Mental Health and Social Inclusion.

As always, we start with our regular features. Simon Lawton-Smith provides an invaluable overview of current developments in mental health policy across the UK, casting his forensic eye over the new mental health strategy. Sue Holttum reflects on recent research relating to mental health and social inclusion issues, this time focusing on employment issues.

Andy Porter describes how peer support training programmes have been introduced at Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, and the rewards and challenges this has involved.

Robin Johnson and Rex Haigh complete their highly thought provoking series on new concepts in social psychiatry and social policy. The final paper starts off by offering an illustration of the “Enabling Environments” approach in practice, followed by an examination of the links with contemporary ideas of public health and “Big Society”.

Elizabeth Wakely and Jerome Carson continue their excellent series on historical “Recovery Heroes”, this time profiling Charles Darwin. Wakely and Carson explore how Darwin’s lifelong struggle with anxiety may have played a key role in his intellectual development and the quality of his achievements.

Social inclusion ideas and practice have become widely embedded in mental health care over the last decade, however, these kinds of progressive development will only be sustained if future commissioning mechanisms underpin them. Michael Clark examines the scope and challenges offered by the new framework of care clusters and payment by results to support social inclusion and recovery practice.

The Recovery Star is an outcome measurement and recovery-focused key working tool now used in a wide range of mental health service settings. Yetunde Onifade describes its origin, development and increasing application across the UK.

And finally, Stephen Clift and Ian Morrison describe the development and evaluation of an innovative community singing initiative with mental health services users and supporters in East Kent. The evaluation reveals that group singing can have substantial benefits in aiding recovery.

As always – do let us know about any creative approaches to promoting social inclusion. And do tell us what you think of the journal and how we can improve it!

Adam Pozner