Need definition(s) of "radical mental health"

[Mab]

Hey everyone,

I need a definition or definitions of "radical mental health" for a zine I'm writing about bipolar disorder and radical mental health. I know my own personal definition, but I'd like to know what other people think/how they define it. I've found several sites online about radical mental health, but no luck finding a concrete definition on any of them. If you could post your definitions here or email them to me at ratbratmab @ gmail . com, I'd really find it helpful. Please let me know if you would mind being quoted in my zine as well, as I may include various definitions as part of it. Thanks so much everyone!

Mab

[James N. Dawson]

That's a HUGE question! There's sort of the state-priveleged-and-controlled establishment psychiatry, psychology and pyschotherapy, but before they got into power there were many competing "psychologIES". Freud has little following these day, if I understand right.

I'm skeptical of the establishment view of mental illness and "disorder"---it's a mixed bag---so reciprocally, their view on mental *health*. Thomas Szaz, who wrote The Myth of Mental Illness and similar books, may go a bit too far. Of course I realize people suffer, so I'm not denying that exists. Just how to define, explain and alleviate it.

From a scientific/secular view, my short answer would be I don't know what mental health/illness is, and doubt I could ever come up with a definition. The claims by others to know has always seemed a little presumptious.

I do have my own concept though as a Buddhist, and by that definition, we're all *crazy* in the final analysis until we attain the highest level of enlightenment---but I admit, that's religion.

Could the happiest people tend to be the shallowest, or most deluded?

Sorry, few if any answers, but these are my best thoughts for the moment.