Getting Into the System

Gwen Howe

`[the book addresses] through the use of real case studies the barriers that can be encountered by people suffering mental distress and their relatives in getting access to appropriate care and treatment. The case studies come from the experience of the group members and are subject to group analysis by people who have direct experience of severe mental illness.'

-Rostrum

`It is almost written as a training manual and it would be easy to use it in this context for example to focus on a particular aspect of mental health … the book benefits from the author's knowledge of mental health services. This short book has a lot to offer.'

-Community Care

`There is plenty of food for thought for mental health practitioners here. The participative structure of this book is a real welcome. Much of the book's value [is] in the use of the case studies and exercises to provoke further discussion and debate.'

-Mental Health Nursing

Written for students professionals and other mental health workers Getting Into the System focuses on the sort of problems that commonly arise when families and friends try to get help for an individual who is developing a first-time episode of a serious mental illness.

The book is the first volume in the new Living with Serious Mental Illness series. This is concerned with the consumer's experience of different aspects of the mental health services abd will provide new insight into the needs of sufferers and their families and friends. The author has published extensively on serious mental illness and is writing this series with and on behalf of an Essex-based group of users and carers. Each volume will contain analysis and discussion of individual cases and the clients' voices on the issues that those who have to cope with a serious mental illness want service providers to understand and appreciate. At a time when there has been considerable emphasis placed on listening to what users and carers have to say this series should offer a unique training opportunity for those working with this type of illness.