The question of social justice in mental health institution supervision is addressed by researchers from the perspectives of existing causes of discrimination against individuals with mental illness history and the strategies for solving this problem. The readings’ analysis allows for identifying a significant difference between social justice practices implementation within mental health institutions and in society and communities. Although the implementation of social justice practices seems feasible in the health care setting, it is much more challenging to pursue social justice in communities.
While the concepts of leadership and supervision tend to be referenced within the clinical contend and primarily apply to the responsibilities of the professionals in mental institutions, the issues articulated in the article and chapters are more generalized and address the life of “psychiatric survivors” in society (Finkler, 2013, p. 221). Indeed, in chapter 16, Finkler (2013) refers to sanism as a discriminatory pattern that diminishes the dignity of the mentally ill. However, the author analyzes the perception of mental illness as a social identity and diagnosis, which predetermines prejudiced attitudes without indicating how these issues might be resolved.
Similarly, White and Pike (2013), in chapter 17, discuss the importance of encouraging mental health literacy among Canadian citizens as a way of eliminating discrimination. However, the increased attention to the problems of the mentally ill might become an intimidation factor for increased psychological distress when socializing. Within the same perspective of a psychiatric survivor, Wipond (2013), in chapter 18, analyzes how mad individuals’ identity is associated with deviance and crime. Although the author emphasizes the necessity of eliminating the under- and mi-representation of the mentally ill in media, the practical side of finding a solution is vague.
Indeed, the improvement of social justice realities associated with the life of psychiatric patients after treatment might be addressed from the perspective of community-based programs and interventions as introduced by Costa et al. (2012). However, the issues raised in the readings are social justice supervision. At the same time, the practices of shifting the perception from opposing us from them and improving mental health literacy might be effective methods of ensuring social justice in mental health institutions.
References
Costa, L., Voronka, J., Landry, D., Reid, J., McFarlane, B., Reville, D. & Church, K. (2012). “Recovering our stories”: A small act of resistance. Studies in Social Justice, 6(1), 85-101.
Finkler, L. C. (2013). “They should not be allowed to do this to the homeless and mentally ill”: Minimum separation distance bylaws reconsidered. In B. A. LeFrancois, R. Menzies, & G. Reaume (Eds.) Mad matters: A critical reader in Canadian mad studies (pp. 221-239). Toronto, Ontario: Canadian Scholars’ Press.
White, K., & Pike, R. (2013). The making and marketing of mental health literacy in Canada. In B. A. LeFrancois, R. Menzies, & G. Reaume (Eds.) Mad matters: A critical reader in Canadian mad studies (pp. 239-253). Toronto, Ontario: Canadian Scholars’ Press.
Wipond, R. (2013). Pitching mad: News media and the psychiatric survivor perspective. In B. A. LeFrancois, R. Menzies, & G. Reaume (Eds.) Mad matters: A critical reader in Canadian mad studies (pp. 253-265). Toronto, Ontario: Canadian Scholars’ Press.