Social exclusion and mental health – how people with mental health problems are disadvantaged: an overview

Abstract

PurposeThis paper aims to provide an overview of social exclusion and the way in which people with mental health problems are excluded from mainstream society in contemporary Britain.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents the main findings of the work of the Royal College of Psychiatrists Scoping Group on Social Exclusion and Mental Health.FindingsAn individual is socially excluded if he or she does not participate in key activities of the society in which he or she lives. People with mental health problems, particularly those with long‐term psychoses, are among the most excluded groups in the UK. They may be excluded from material resources (poverty), from socially valued productive activity, from social relations and neighborhoods, from civic participation and from health and health services.Originality/valueThe findings of the Scoping Group provide an up to date view of the exclusion in people with mental health problems in the UK.