Abstract
This chapter aims to acknowledge the difficulty in defining disability. It includes an analysis of the ways in which disability influences identity and how that, in turn can have significant impact on an individual’s mental health (both positively and negatively). Consideration is given to the mental health issues that arise from a social construction of disability. We will also examine the psychological effects of being or becoming disabled in a society which values health, beauty and youth. This takes cognizance of the impact of prejudice, discrimination and perceived associated social disadvantage in relation to mental health. We believe that to work effectively with people who have special needs and disabilities and mental health problems, workers need to understand the social context in which care is provided and the prevailing attitudes in society. To develop such an awareness will enable workers to examine their own perspectives, which will enhance their contribution to the care of this service user group.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Bates, I. (1993) A job which is right for me, in I. Bates & G. Risebrough Youth and Inequality, Buckingham: Open University Press.
Becker, S. (1997) Responding to Poverty: The Politics of Cash and Care, Longman: London.
Blaxter, M. (1990) Health and Lifestyles, London: Routledge & Kegan Paul.
Coleman, R. (1995) Is the Writing on the Asylum Wall? Power to Partnership, Gwynedd: Handsell Publications.
Department of Health (1959) The Mental Health Act, London: HMSO.
Department of Health (1998a) Modernising Social Services, White Paper, London: HMSO.
Department of Health (1998b) Modern and Dependable: The New NHS, London: HMSO.
Department of Health (1999a) With Respect to Old Age: A Report by the Royal Commission on Long Term Care, London: HMSO.
Department of Health (1999b) Making a Difference, London: HMSO.
Department of Health (2000) A Quality Strategy for Social Care, London: HMSO.
Department of Health (2001) The Expert Patient: A New Approach to Chronic Disease Management for the 21st Century, London: HMSO.
Drake, R. F. (1998) Professionals and the voluntary sector, in A. Symonds & A. Kelly (eds), The Social Construction of Community Care, Basingstoke: Macmillan Press, now Palgrave Macmillan.
Gendenning, C., Halliwell, S., Jacobs, S., Rummery, K. & Tryer, J. (2000) Bridging the gap: using direct payments to purchase integrated care, Health and Social Care in the Community, 8(3), 192–200.
Hudson, B. (2002) Interprofessionality in health and social care, Journal of Interprofessional Care, 16(1), 249.
Hughes, B. & Patterson, K. (1997) Labels can damage your health, Community Care, 6–12 July.
Kelly, A., Mabbett, G. & Thome, R. (1998) Professions and community nursing, in A. Symonds & A. Kelly (eds), The Social Construction of Community Care, Basingstoke: Macmillan Press, now Palgrave Macmillan.
Naidoo, J. (1984) Evaluation of play it safe in Bristol. Unpublished paper.
Oliver, M. (1996) Understanding Disability, Basingstoke: Macmillan, now Palgrave Macmillan.
Oliver, M. (1990) The Politics of Disablement, Basingstoke: Macmillan and St Martins Press, now Palgrave Macmillan.
Office of Population, Census and Surveys (OPCS) (1986) National Survey of Disability in Great Britain. OPCS Social Survey Division, London: HMSO.
Statham, M. & Timblick, D. (2001) Self concept and people who have learning disabilities, in J. Thompson & S. Pickering (eds), Meeting the Health Needs of People who have a Learning Disability, London: Balliere Tindall.
Townsend, P. (1979) Poverty in the United Kingdom, Harmondsworth: Penguin.
Ward, D. & Mullender, A. (1991) Empowerment and oppression: an indissoluble pairing for contemporary social work, Critical Social Policy, 32, 1–29.
Wolfensberger, W. (1972) The Principle of Normalisation in Human Services, Toronto: National Institute on Mental Retardation.
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Copyright information
© 2004 Celia Harbottle and David Mudd
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Harbottle, C., Mudd, D. (2004). Working with People who have Special Needs and Disabilities and Mental Health Problems. In: Kirby, S.D., Hart, D.A., Cross, D., Mitchell, G. (eds) Mental Health Nursing. Palgrave, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4039-9756-2_6
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4039-9756-2_6
Publisher Name: Palgrave, London
Print ISBN: 978-1-4039-0262-7
Online ISBN: 978-1-4039-9756-2
eBook Packages: Palgrave Social & Cultural Studies CollectionSocial Sciences (R0)