Should clinical psychologists be political?

Abstract

In our attempts to ameliorate human distress, clinical psychologists are reminded daily not only of the central importance of people’s social circumstances, but also of the prejudice and discrimination experienced by those whom others see as ‘mentally ill’. In this chapter we argue that psychologists are well-placed, and arguably have a duty, to inform the public and policymakers about the reality of ‘mental illness’, including the impact of current policies on individual and societal wellbeing. For many early-career psychologists, the prospect of challenging policies and dominant discourses can be daunting. This chapter argues that it is a vital part of our role, and suggests ways in which we can do it.