RETHINKING "THE SOCIAL" IN MENTAL HEALTH: MAPPING AND ANALYSIS OF AUTONOMY-PRODUCING INITIATIVES IN SPAIN

The aim of this proposal is to map and analyse the existing autonomy-promoting innovative experiences in Spain, and their role in the production of autonomy in people with mental suffering

Mental health is recognised as a public health priority and a fundamental human right. In recent years and following in the adoption of the 2006 Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), there have been demands for a complete transformation in the field of mental-health care, especially in the way mental distress is understood, addressed, and supported both within and outside health care settings.

The growing awareness on the role of social determinants, and the importance of providing care and services centred on the autonomy of the individual and social groups has driven different innovative experiences internationally, that transcend the classical biomedical view to value social sciences approach in this field.

However, these initiatives have yet to be studied, as well as their role in securing rights and producing autonomy among those affected. This knowledge-gap is especially striking when we think in terms of social sciences research.

The main objective is to detect, map and analyse autonomy-promoting initiatives in mental-health (API-MHs) in Spain, by means of a social analysis.

The specific objectives are:

• 1) To carry out a scoping review of API-MHs in Spain, based on academic and grey literature, including Internet contents
• 2) To detect the most significant API-MHs, based on snowball prospecting
• 3) To analyse and catalogue the API-MHs on the basis of questionnaires and interviews with API-MHs' coordinators and key actors
• 4) To compare API-MHs implemented by health-services (hospitals and community), with those developed by the general society, such as mutual aid groups
• 5) Elaboration of an API-MHs' map/repository, with the aim of promoting networking between different initiatives
• 6) In-depth analysis of a minimum of three API-MHs, located in different Spanish autonomous communities, using ethnographic approaches
• 7) Results dissemination in academic circles, including scientific publications and national and international conferences
• 8) Results dissemination in professional mental-health sector (services, health-care ethics committees, policymakers, and professional associations), and social movements through a website, social networks, and other communication channels
• 9) Organisation of a conference, involving API-MHs' representatives and other relevant actors.