Narrating the Heritage of Psychiatry

Narrating the Heritage of Psychiatry challenges dominant biomedical models of progress in psychiatry, highlights the importance of diverse voices and counter-narratives in memorialisation efforts, and argues for the need for a variety of perspectives in understanding psychiatric history and heritage.

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This volume highlights the importance of diverse voices and perspectives in understanding the history and heritage of psychiatry. Exploring the complex interrelations between psychiatry, heritage and power, Narrating the Heritage of Psychiatry complicates the pervasive biomedical narrative of progress in which the history of psychiatry is usually framed. By examining multiple perspectives, including those of users/survivors of mental health services, the anthology sheds light on neglected narratives and aims to broaden our understanding of psychiatric history and current practices. In doing so, it also considers the role of art, activism, and community narratives in reimagining and recontextualizing psychiatric heritage. This collection brings into conversation perspectives from practitioners as well as scholars from the humanities and social sciences.