Neoliberalism and Psychiatry. How Do We Respond?
Members of the Radical Caucus of the American Psychiatric Association, the Critical Psychiatry
Network, and the Icarus Project will discuss the implications of neoliberalism with respect to
psychological well-being and the possibilities for professional and grass-roots responses to its
impact. First, we will briefly discuss the origin and scope of neoliberalism. Neoliberalism refers
to a political economic theory and value system that was put into practice in the 1970s and 1980s
that relied on unrestricted market forces, deregulation, promotion of privatization, free trade, a
focus on the individual, and opposition to labor rights and public services. This policy has had
broad social impact resulting in greater economic inequality, increased powerlessness, prolonged
economic stagnation with high unemployment rates, diminished personal happiness, alterations
in environment, and increased incarcerations. Next, we will “connect-the-dots” between
neoliberal policy and psychiatry. Using Link and Phelan’s work on fundamental causes we will
demonstrate how the individual focus (“microsocial” level) in psychiatry—encouraged and
promoted by neoliberal’s approach to research and care—has resulted in an emphasis on
proximal(“downstream’) causes of disorders and distress but has largely ignored
distal(“upstream”) causes created by broader social structures. The latter includes not only social
and political entities and policies but also the language and attitudes that serve as social conduits
and barriers. Last, we will discuss ways in which consumers and mental health providers have
responded to the impact of neoliberalism. In so doing, we will address the following questions
with respect to neoliberalism: What tactics and strategies are necessary for effective practice?
What can be learned from broader protests against inequality and racism? What are the
advantages and disadvantages of liberal reform versus anarchic tactics in prefiguring
alternatives? Could psychiatry create resilience practices to immunize people against some of the
impacts of neoliberalism? What kinds of alternative care have been tried to protect people in
neoliberal times? Persons attending this session will be encouraged to participate in addressing
these questions.
Role of Panelists:
Carl I Cohen, M.D., Distinguished Service Professor at SUNY Downstate Medical Center and
convener of the of the Radical Caucus of the American Psychiatric Association (APA), will
chair the session and provide a brief introduction and overview of the topic.
Kenneth S. Thompson, M.D., Clinical Associate Professor at University of Pittsburgh and a
member of the Radical Caucus of the APA, will describe neoliberalism and its impact on mental
distress.
Amjad Hindi, M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor at SUNY Downstate Medical Center and a
member of the Radical Caucus of the APA, , will discuss the impact of neoliberalism on mental
health ideology.
Bradley Lewis, M.D., Ph.D., Associate Professor of Philosophy at New York University and a
member of the Radical Caucus of the APA and the Critical Psychiatry Network will discuss
various alternative strategies used by mental health professionals to confront the impact of
neoliberalism.
Sascha Altman DuBrul, is co-founder of the Bay Area Seed Interchange Library and the Icarus
Project, a radical community support network and media project that focuses on redefining the
language and culture of mental health and illness, will describe how consumers have responded
to the impact of neoliberalism.