Mental Health Service Users in Research

Mental Health Service Users in Research explores the sociological use of autobiography, examining how our identity shapes the knowledge we produce. The contributors—many of whom are former or current service users—ask why voices that challenge contemporary beliefs about health and the role of treatment are often silenced, arguing that the imbalance of power and opportunity for service users and the stigmatizing nature of services are human rights issues. Stressing the importance of research approaches that involve mutual respect and understanding, they touch on topics ranging from LGBT issues to racial tensions to the stigma of alcoholism.