Philosophy SIG and HoPSIG event | Psychiatry, Society and the State: The end of political neutrality?

Are politics and psychiatry inextricably linked? Historically, professions have both been expected and seen themselves as being above the explicitly political arena. The reality is that politics has always been crucial to provide care, most obviously seen perhaps with the foundation of the NHS and the policies of deinstitutionalization.

In recent decades there has been an overwhelming accumulation of evidence that social factors, often summarised as structural inequalities, are hugely influential both in health in general and in mental health in particular. With respect to mental health, they are crucial both in the generational morbidity and the provision of services.

This event aims to explore whether the idea of professional neutrality has run its course and whether the time has come for a renewed professional activism in psychiatry and mental health.

• In this event George Ikkos, joint editor of Mind State and Society; Psychiatry and Mental Health in Britain 1960-2010 (Society of American Publishers PROSE silver award in category of science, medicine and technology, 2022) will review the history of British psychiatry since the 1960s in its social and political context with a view to responding better to today’s demands.
• Jed Boardman, joint author of Social Inclusion and Mental Health; Understanding Poverty, Inequality and Social Exclusion, will examine the social exclusion of people with mental health conditions and the inequalities in mental health services provision.
• Trudi Seneviratne, RCPsych Registrar, will join us for the panel discussions.
• A panel of expert commentators will facilitate the discussion followed by an extensive Q&A with the attendees.

Please note: The College is politically neutral and any political opinions or statements made by individuals during this event do not represent the views of the College.

Welcome and introductions

2-2.05pm – Welcome from the Chairs of HOPSIG and PHILSIG

Session 1

2.10-2.40pm – George Ikkos: Asylum to Community to Meta-Community: Historical and Political Reflections for Today’s Psychiatry

2.40-3.10pm – Discussion panel with contributions from Femi Oyebode, Rob Poole and Trudi Seneviratne

3.10-3.40pm – Q&A

Break (20 minutes)

Session 2

4-4.30pm – Jed Boardman: Social Inclusion and Mental Health: Understanding Poverty, Inequality and Social Exclusion”

4.30-5pm – Discussion panel with contributions from Rob Poole, Femi Oyebode and Trudi Seneviratne

5-5.30pm – Q&A with participants

5.30-5.35pm – Event close