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De-medicalising Misery: conference offers radical rethink of psychological distress

Wednesday 22 August 2007

Amid renewed debate around the diagnosis and treatment of depression, leading experts in the field of mental health will gather at the University of East London (UEL) on Friday 14th September 2007 to examine our current understanding of distress, and explore innovative ways of dealing with suffering.

Entitled 'De-medicalising Misery', the one-day conference brings together clinical psychologists, psychiatrists and service users from across the UK and internationally. It is organised by UEL's School of Psychology with the support of the British Psychological Society (BPS).

Distinguished speakers Prof. Richard Bentall, Dr. Pat Bracken, Peter Campbell, Dr. David Healy, Dr. Joanna Moncrieff, Prof. David Smail, Prof. Phil Thomas and Prof. Arlene Vetere will present papers on topics including the antidepressant industry, the social construction of madness and psychopathology, what happens on acute psychiatric wards, and the long-term effects of domestic violence on children.

Delegates will also explore key questions including:

  • Are there more constructive ways to think about human suffering?
  • Can we do without diagnosis?
  • How good is the evidence for individualised therapeutic assistance?
  • How can we develop a better understanding of the social and cultural causes of distress?
  • Can we find ways of helping that do not implicitly accept medicalised explanations of misery?

Professor Mark Rapley, Director of Clinical Psychology at UEL, comments: "We are delighted at the tremendous response we have received, with hundreds of delegates coming from all over the UK and elsewhere in Europe. With the inexorable rise in the diagnosis of depression, this is a topic of urgent importance that touches the lives of sufferers, carers and health professionals in a range of fields."

The conference will also celebrate the pioneering work of Professor Mary Boyle, who retires this year. UEL's School of Psychology has provided professional training and development in clinical psychology for over 30 years and is one of the UK's leading centres for postgraduate education in the field.

For full details and bookings, visit www.uel.ac.uk/misery.

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For details and pictures contact Patrick Wilson: 020 8223 2061 or 07951 797 975

Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

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