1. Social Inclusion or Further Exclusion? An Exploration of the Effect of UK Mental Health Policy on Day Centre Service Users Beverley Smith Doctoral Researcher University of Birmingham

2. Data Analysis

3. Double natured embodiment ‘lieb’ – a lived experience grounded in material realities ‘korper’ – a socially constructed entity that produces the body as an objective presence subject to the professional gaze ( Turner 1992)

4. Survival Cheap food and drink Everyday support ‘Oxygen’ Crucial to peoples’ lives and survival Lifeline Vital for existence

5. Mental distress Affects personal relationships Varying diagnoses- schizophrenia through to anxiety and depression Experiences of mental distress varied The importance of the embodied reality of individuals’ mental distress

6. Feelings of belonging, safety and acceptance A form of social exclusion? A coping strategy? Importance of double natured embodiment

7. Findings in relation to UK mental health policy One size fits all – unlikely to work Policy makers do not address the complexity of mental distress (Pilgrim 2007)

8. Importance of safe space Safe space linked to moving into new environments What resources will equip people for this? Safe space needed for survival by all or just those deemed ‘more acutely unwell ’

9. Day centres help alleviate mental distress Policy recognises that services do help people to manage their mental health Nevertheless ‘Outcome Indicator’: Number of people supported to decrease their reliance on mental health services (NSIP, 2007: 7).

10. Social Inclusion or Further Exclusion? Thank you