A social conflict analysis of collective mental health care: Past, present and future

Abstract

Background: Individualised mental health care involves a number of ideological assumptions which may conflict with the cultural needs of some service users. Collective mental health care offers an alternative care approach which could meet some of those needs, but remains politically unpopular. Aim: To explore the socio-political background of collective mental health approaches, and to explain the relative unpopularity of communalism in current UK mental health policy. Method: The paper presents an historical and theoretical analysis of collective mental health care which draws on a comprehensive literature review of the subject areas involved. It then uses a deductive argument to apply these propositions to the current UK mental health policy situation, and to suggest possible future developments. Conclusions: An underlying potential for increased collective mental health care provision within the UK system is suggested. This is indicated by (a) the current polarisation of official government policy and reported clinical practice, and (b) the number of overlapping group interests which may increasingly motivate policy change in this area. Declaration of interest: This research was partly sponsored by Tees and North East Yorkshire NHS Trust.