Social prescribing: an inadequate response to the degradation of social care in mental health

Social prescribing is poorly defined and there is little evidence for its effectiveness. It cannot address the social determinants of mental health and it is unlikely to produce enduring change for that part of the population that suffers the worst physical and mental health, namely the most deprive...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inBJPsych Bulletin Vol. 48; no. 1; pp. 30 - 33
Main Authors Poole, Rob, Huxley, Peter
Format Journal Article Book Review
LanguageEnglish
Published Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press 01.02.2024
Subjects
Against the Stream
Clinical medicine
Degradation
Health disparities
Health status
Hospitals
Intervention
Long term health care
Mental disorders
Mental health
Mental health care
Mental health services
Prescribing
Primary care
Psychiatrists
psychosocial interventions
Rehabilitation and Social
social care
Social deprivation
Social factors
social functioning
social prescribing
Social services
United Kingdom > UK
social functioning
social prescribing
social care
psychosocial interventions
Social deprivation
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Summary:Social prescribing is poorly defined and there is little evidence for its effectiveness. It cannot address the social determinants of mental health and it is unlikely to produce enduring change for that part of the population that suffers the worst physical and mental health, namely the most deprived and marginalised. It has emerged at a time of growing health inequity. This has occurred alongside the neglect of social care and of the social aspects of mental health intervention. Social prescribing gives a false impression of addressing social factors, and as such is counterproductive. We can do better than this.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-1
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
ObjectType-Feature-2
ObjectType-Review-3
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Against the Stream articles tackle controversial issues. The idea is to challenge conventional wisdom and stimulate discussion. BJPsych Bulletin is not responsible for statements made by contributors and material in BJPsych Bulletin does not necessarily reflect the views of the Editor-in-Chief or the College.
ISSN:2056-4694
2056-4708
2053-4868
DOI:10.1192/bjb.2023.61