Dr. Pat Deegan's belief is that too often the health system can encourage what she calls 'a career in mental health' and nothing else. This viewpoint is based on her experience as a service user and it still holds true.A great deal is being achieved by service users themselves to challenge the roadblocks. This is particularly true where creative and personalised use of direct payments and individual budgets have really taken off around the UK. It hasn't happened everywhere but some immensely inspiring stories and testimonials can be viewed at the NMHDU website.
British Version of self-determination and budgeting