Main description:

How can sociology explain the emergence of mental disorders in societies or individuals?
This authoritative book makes a case for the renewal of the sociology of mental illness, proposing a reorganisation of this field around four areas: social stratification, stress, labelling and culture. Drawing on case studies from a range of global contexts, the book argues that current research focuses on identifying 'social factors', leaving the question of causality to psychiatry, while significant critical perspectives remain untapped.
The result is an unprecedented resource that maps the current state of sociology of mental health, providing an invigorating manifesto for its future.

Contents:

Introduction: Towards a Critical Renewal of the Sociology of Mental Health
1. Social Positions 'and' Mental Disorders
2. Society as Stressor
3. The Weight of Labels
4. The Uses of Culture
Conclusion: Explaining the 'Mental Health Crisis'