A Prescription for Psychiatry (PDF)

Peter Kinderman is Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Liverpool, UK. His research activity and clinical work concentrate on understanding and helping people with serious and enduring mental health problems, and on how psychological science can assist public policy in health and social care.

'Peter Kinderman puts his finger on much that is wrong with modern-day psychiatry, with its obsession with empty diagnostic labels, indiscriminate and uncomprehending use of toxic drugs for years on end, and its blindness to the social context of suffering and distress. Kinderman sketches a welcome vision of an alternative approach grounded in a society that fosters well-being through political means, with services oriented to helping people address their unique individual problems. It is a challenging but realistic vision for change, and should open a much-needed debate.' - Joanna Moncrieff, University College London, UK

'In this book Peter Kinderman argues that mental health services are too reactive and medicalised and he outlines a manifesto for a psychosocial approach, putting much more emphasis on wellbeing and public health, with services based within local authorities rather than the health system. This is a much-needed intervention in current debates about mental health policy and should be read by anyone interested in rethinking how we respond to serious psychological distress.' - David Harper, University of East London, UK

'Professor Kinderman has spent his career working in our mental health services and has reached the conclusion that in their current form they often do more harm than good. His 'prescription for psychiatry' is either visionary or scandalous, depending on your point of view, but never boring. A must-read for everyone with an interest in mental health.' - Anne Cooke, Canterbury Christ Church University, UK