1. Psychology, Mental Health and Distress

2. Introduction
Welcome to the Guided Tour of this book. This PowerPoint presentation will take you through:
The structure and content of the book
Pedagogical features
Online support materials
A sample chapter is available to download here

3. What’s so special about Psychology, Mental Health and Distress?

4. Key features
It takes a unique approach, presenting a fully rounded psychological approach to mental health and distress, rather than the psychiatric approach that has long dominated teaching in this area.
It is the first mainstream textbook to give voice to those with experience of mental health, including a whole chapter written by service users.
It is written by an outstanding author team, including contributions from leading psychologists such as Richard Bentall, Joanna Moncrieff, Lucy Johnstone amongst many others.

5. “This is one of the most important psychology books of recent years…It is the first textbook to take a truly psychological approach to mental health and distress, rather than one based on psychiatric categories and assumptions.”
– Anne Cooke, Canterbury Christ Church University, UK
“I wish this book had been around when I was an undergraduate. Two aspects of the book are especially important. First, recognising the importance of culture in mental health, and secondly, giving a voice to mental health service users.”
– Kate Bennett, University of Liverpool, UK
"This is the book that I have been waiting years to see. Superb, thoroughly researched and intellectually refreshing -a game changer in the field."
– Ron Roberts, Kingston University, UK

6. Contents Part 1 – Concepts
This part provides a psychological account of distress, from its character to its causal influences and possible responses to it.
Chapter 1: From Disorder to Experience
Chapter 2: History
Chapter 3: Culture
Chapter 4: Biology
Chapter 5: Diagnosis and Formulation
Chapter 6: Causal Influences
Chapter 7: Service Users and Survivors
Chapter 8: Interventions

7. Part 2 – Forms of Distress
The second part of the book applies the discussions and ideas of part 1 to the most common forms of mental distress.
Chapter 9: Sadness and Worry
Chapter 10: Sexuality and Gender
Chapter 11: Madness
Chapter 12: Distressing Bodies and Eating
Chapter 13: Disordered Personalities

8. Start of chapter features
Each chapter starts off with a fictional case story as a way of introducing students to the concerns and issues within the chapter.
Learning outcomes outline what the chapter will cover, to provide an easy point of reference for students.
Guiding questions use key ideas and issues to guide the students in their reading, to engage their critical thinking as they read the chapter.

9. Features running throughout each chapter
Key terms are highlighted in bold with a definition following shortly afterwards. These definitions are also included in the end-of-book glossary.
Boxed features include case studies, accounts of influential research studies, and key debates to encourage critical thinking.
Figures and tables throughout provide clarity and consolidation to the main text, while photos and illustrations are used to illustrate ideas and spark discussion and debate. The illustrations include artwork by mental health service users, which will be particularly useful in prompting class debate.

10. End of chapter features
The chapter summary recaps what the chapter has covered, whilst raising points in need of further discussion and research.
End of chapter questions consolidate learning by encouraging the student to test their knowledge and reflect on the key issues.
The Find out more feature includes a selection of academic reading, popular novels and films for those wishing to extend their understanding or hear other perspectives.

11. Companion website
The companion website at offers further resources for both students and lecturers including:
PowerPoint slides for lecturers
An instructor’s guide, offering guidance on how to use the book in your teaching
Support materials for students including multiple choice questions and a searchable glossary

12. Thanks for taking for the time to view this presentation
Thanks for taking for the time to view this presentation. We hope you will consider adopting this exciting new textbook and we look forward to receiving your comments on it.
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