Radical mental health is an approach to psychiatric problems that basically involves a more holistic and comprehensive approach in contrast to just cohercive methods.
Things such as:
– Recognizing the social aspect and background of many mental illnesses
– Recognizing the power dynamics and forms of abuse that often bring to mental illnesses or make them worse
– Focus on patients rights, humane approach
– Focus on prevention, community support, innovative approaches
Basically, the opposite of this approach is: overwhelming patients with pills and medications, preminence of psychiatry and psychotherapy over social and economic assistance, medicalization of social problems, repressive practices (such as forced hospitalization), strong labeling of patients.
How common would you say this approach is in your country?