Why is Mental Illness So Goddamn Controversial?
Stephen Lawrie
Psychiatrist Stephen Lawrie (The University of Edinburgh) thinks mental illness is needlessly controversial – and the controversy is destroying our mental health services. Artificial battle-lines are drawn between two stereotypes: ‘pill-peddling’ doctors under the influence of Big Bad Pharma versus caring, sharing talking therapists who get to ‘the root of the problem’. The resulting polarised, controversy-filled discussions sell newspapers, but they also allow authorities to get away with inadequate funding of services. Do you want things to improve for patients? Come along and be prepared to embrace a different perspective…