Towards a social action/social model of disability methodology for studying mental health services
David Abelló
Social Policy Research Centre
Contact Email:   d.abellounsw.edu.au

The traditional bio-medical model of mental health and associated approaches to Mental Health Service (MHS) delivery have largely ignored the social environments of patients/consumers. Recent MHS policies in NSW have incorporated a more social-centred model into their strategic direction setting. Central to this are effective integration within the MHS and partnerships with the range of other individuals, organisations and services that seek to enhance the social, political and economic participation of people experiencing mental ill health. Concurrent with this shift is a greater emphasis on the role of mental health service consumers and carers in influencing the design and implementation of these new approaches to rehabilitation. This paper draws on evidence from an evaluation of Commonwealth-funded Mental Health Integration Projects, and coinciding structural reforms, within the Illawarra Health MHS, to illustrate the significance of these emerging paradigms for designing and implementing research about mental health and mental illness.

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