TY - JOUR

T1 - Social psychiatry in Oxford and its ecological niche, 1959–1988

AU - Poole, Rob

PY - 2024/8/15

Y1 - 2024/8/15

N2 - This paper reflects on a special edition of the journal History of Psychiatry and a related symposium held at Somerville College, Oxford, exploring the innovations in mental healthcare in Oxfordshire led by Dr Bertram Mandelbrote between 1959 and 1988. I draw on clinical culture, biography, mental health policy and my lived experience to understand Mandelbrote's life and work, and his legacy and lessons for contemporary psychiatrists. I explore the ecological niche that Mandelbrote created and conclude with the probable importance of his relationship with Professor Michael Gelder, who led the University of Oxford Department of Psychiatry at the time.

AB - This paper reflects on a special edition of the journal History of Psychiatry and a related symposium held at Somerville College, Oxford, exploring the innovations in mental healthcare in Oxfordshire led by Dr Bertram Mandelbrote between 1959 and 1988. I draw on clinical culture, biography, mental health policy and my lived experience to understand Mandelbrote's life and work, and his legacy and lessons for contemporary psychiatrists. I explore the ecological niche that Mandelbrote created and conclude with the probable importance of his relationship with Professor Michael Gelder, who led the University of Oxford Department of Psychiatry at the time.

KW - History of psychiatry

KW - therapeutic community

KW - social psychiatry

KW - regulatory culture

KW - Mental Health Services

U2 - 10.1192/bjb.2024.44

DO - 10.1192/bjb.2024.44

M3 - Article

JO - BJPsych Bulletin

JF - BJPsych Bulletin

SN - 2056-4694

ER -