Promoting the critical mental health movement

The Critical Psychiatry Network (CPN) first met as the ‘Bradford Group’ of psychiatrists in Bradford in January 1999. This year therefore marks its tenth year

Over the years, CPN has organised and participated in several conferences. This conference is entitled “Promoting the critical mental health movement” and will be held in Norwich. The format of Norwich 2009 is similar to previous conferences held in Sheffield 2001, Birmingham 2002 and London 2003, from which papers are available.

The conference is open to all. Registration will close when venue capacity is reached, so book early to avoid disappointment.

About the conference

The critical mental health movement is comprised of various perspectives developing a critique of the current psychiatric system. These range from reform to revolution. Although there may be debate about how much can be achieved within psychiatry, the movement is held together by recognition of the need for fundamental change.

The root problem is the belief that mental illness is a brain disorder. The Critical Psychiatry Network argues that psychiatry can be practised without the justification of postulating brain pathology as the basis for mental illness. This position should not be misunderstood as implying that mind and brain are separate. Perhaps a way to express what is being said is that mental disorders must show through the brain but not always in the brain.

The conference will provide a forum for debate both within critical psychiatry and between critical and mainstream psychiatry. The views of critical psychiatry are not marginal to the present situation in modern mental health services.