Duelling narratives: An international dialogue on mental health
- Title
- Duelling narratives: An international dialogue on mental health
- Speaker(s)
- Speaker: Robert Whitaker # American journalist and author; Speaker: Desmond Ryan # University of Edinburgh; Hosted by: Steve Tilley # University of Edinburgh; Hosted by: Richard Freeman # Public Policy Network
- Date and Time
- 21st Nov 2011 17:00 – 21st Nov 2011 18:30
- Location
- 6th Floor, Chrystal Macmillan Building, 15A George Square, Edinburgh
- URL
- http://www.publicpolicynetwork.ed.ac.uk/events/2011/dueling_narratives_an_international_dialogue_on_mental_health
Our 'Duelling Narratives' will interrogate the conventional wisdom, or storytelling, that drives psychiatric care in the United States. This a story about the psychopharmacological revolution said to have occurred in the past 55 years, and about how Robert Whitaker came to write a story in two books (Mad in America and Anatomy of an Epidemic) that told of a very different narrative, and ultimately of a "revolution" in care that never really took place. In turn, Desmond Ryan will offer a response grounded in his analysis of mental health matters and participation in previous conversations.
These prompts are intended to open a wider conversation on how the duelling narratives, and the dialogue between the different country narratives, might guide us in creating better social responses to those affected by issues of mental health, illness and psychiatric care.
There will be a drinks reception afterwards. All welcome.
This page was published on 8 December 2011