Blog: Mental health profession

Beginnings are always a great cause for anxiety. More than half a century since her death, Melanie Klein’s thought, such as object relation theory, still permeates modern understanding of developmental psychology. In this article, we explore part of her contribution to theory on infant psychology and in particular to the vast unknown of the preverbal experience – with an eye to its potential ongoing resonance into adulthood.

This lived experience article describes a patient diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and details their personal experience within the various institutions of a psychiatric hospital, PICU, wards and rehabilitation units. The aim of their personal discussion is to encourage improvements to the UK mental health service.

The mental health concerns of veterans are unique and can pose a long-term challenge in their return to civilian life. Over the last few years, investment has improved services, however, many veterans are still reluctant. Prof Neil Greenberg, Lead for Military and Veterans Health at The Royal College of Psychiatrists, details two essential pieces of work that professionals could use to improve accessibility and service for veterans.

Traumatic experiences live in us, as it were, we continually re-enact and respond to this emotional turmoil inside us. How is an internal reparation of this turmoil possible? Could psychoanalysis have the answer?

Jamie Kirkland and Jenny Marshall introduce us to the Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT) model for clinical settings, designed to enable reflective practice in forensic services.