Policy implications of a psychological model of mental disorder

Background: Mental health care in the United Kingdom is rapidly changing, but many commentators, particularly sociologists and psychologists, view systems as remaining wedded to a medical model and not ‘‘fit for purpose’’. If services are to improve, the way that mental health problems are understood by the services providing care needs to change radically. Aims: To illustrate how a psychological model of mental disorder – the ‘‘mediating psychological processes model’’ – could assist mental health service policy development and implementation. Method: A review of selected literature and policy documents was conducted. Results: A ‘‘manifesto’’ for mental health service policy is presented, based on psychological principles. Conclusions: Psychological models, at least in addition to medical approaches, could better inform policy and service design.