Prof. George William Brown OBE, FBA (1930–2026)

"George Brown was a huge figure in sociology and social psychiatry. At a time when social science and psychiatry were so riven with conceptual differences they could not work constructively, George’s approach was collaborative, courageous and imaginative. His work addressed real-world problems and in so doing greatly enriched mental health research."

Professor Matthew Hotopf, Executive Dean, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience:
https://www.kcl.ac.uk/news/professor-george-william-brown-obe-fba-19302026

Starting in Warrington School of Nursing (Winwick Hospital) as a student mental health nurse in October 1977 you can how that curriculum and programme of study came about; and influences on Brian Hodges' early career.

 

Hodges' Health Career - Care Domains - Model

 

 An individual's 'health career' is impacted by their life chances and life events.

 

 

individual

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INTERPERSONAL : SCIENCES             

humanistic ------------------------------- mechanistic

SOCIOLOGY : POLITICAL   

|

group

Individual Psychology Life events PSYCHIATRY psycho-	Life events EVOLUTIONARY PSYCHIATRY
social Group Psychology Life events SOCIAL & CULTURAL  PSYCHIATRY	LIFE EVENTS  PSYCHO-POLITICAL PSYCHIATRY

See also:

Wing, J.K., & Brown, G.W. (1970). Institutionalism and Schizophrenia: A Comparative Study of Three Mental Hospitals 1960–1968. Cambridge; Cambridge University Press. 

Brown, G. & Harris, T. (1978) Social Origins of Depression. A Study of Psychiatric Disorder in Women. London: Tavistock.Google Scholar 

Brown G.W. & Harris, T. (1979) Social origins of depression: a study of psychiatric disorder in women, London: Tavistock Publications.

Brown, G. W., & Harris, T. O. (Eds.). (1989). Life events and illness. The Guilford Press.

My source: Patrick Kidd. Forum, Obituary, The Observer. 20th September, 2026, p.42.
https://observer.co.uk/profile/obituary/article/george-brown-the-former-post-office-boy-who-unlocked-the-mystery-of-depression

Previously: 'social sciences' : 'psychiatry' : 'determinants'

Suicide Postvention in the Workplace - new SOM resource

https://www.som.org.uk/suicide-postvention-workplace-new-som-resource

Posted by Ann Caluori | Mon, 09/09/2024 - 08:52

The term 'suicide postvention' refers to the actions taken by an organisation to provide effective support in a sensitive manner after a death by suicide. It aims to promote recovery and prevent further adverse outcomes.

This new SOM resource, authored by Professor Gail Kinman and Professor Neil Greenberg, provides evidence-informed guidance and recommendations for organisations to respond to the death by suicide of a colleague, or the unexpected death of a colleague from other causes. The guidance draws on high-quality sources from research and practice and was developed through consultation with experts from various fields. It aims to help organisations navigate the complexities and sensitivities involved in such tragic events, ensuring they provide the support required to maintain a healthy and compassionate workplace.

The resource should be useful for occupational health practitioners, wellbeing leads, HR professionals, managers, and policy makers. It addresses several important issues in the aftermath of a workplace death by suicide, such as immediate response approaches, communication protocols, support mechanisms for affected individuals, and long-term considerations for fostering a supportive work environment.

Download the guidance here.

This resource has been launched ahead of World Suicide Prevention Day 2024.

My source: TwiX @somceo

See also: World Suicide Prevention Day 2024 #WorldSuicidePreventionDay

Are the lines open? Is the train running? "Wigan Coal and Iron"

"Nos. 7 and 8 pits were a short distance away from the main colliery and were known as Brookside or New Zealand Pits. No coal was raised at these pits when Wigan Coal Corporation took over, but they were used for pumping and ventilation. Shortly afterwards (in 1931) they were filled up.

Wigan Coal and Iron

 

A very tragic and bizarre accident happened here on 13th April 1945 when Ludovic Berry, a locomotive driver employed by the Coal Corporation, was moving 13 loaded wagons in sidings over the filled up No. 7 shaft which was 12ft. diameter and 400 yd. deep. Suddenly the ground collapsed under the leading wagon which fell into a large cavity followed by the rest of the train and the locomotive at an accelerating pace. The locomotive with all wheels locked by the brakes and the driver still at the controls was dragged into the shaft by the wagons and came to rest wedged in a vertical position with the smokebox uppermost 127 ft. down the shaft. The total length of the train was 283 ft. and there were indications on the rails that the brakes had been applied when the train was 226 ft. from the crater. This crater was 52 ft. long and 34 ft. wide. The body of the driver was never recovered, owing to the dangerous condition of the ground surrounding the cavity." p.181.

 INDIVIDUAL

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 INTERPERSONAL    :     SCIENCES               

HUMANISTIC --------------------------------------  MECHANISTIC      

SOCIOLOGY  :   POLITICAL 

|

GROUP

Ludovic	| | | ------------------------------------------------------- | | |
(Mr) Berry RIP

D. Anderson, A.A. France (1994) Wigan Coal and Iron. Paperback. Smiths of Wigan.
ISBN 0 9510680 7 5.

Cover image file - Amazon. Cover painting David W. Barrow.

See also:
http://www.healeyhero.co.uk/rescue/Collection/ian/2004/page_30.htm

https://www.wiganworld.co.uk/stuff/past1.php

Thanks to Mr Harold Parkinson RIP for the book.

The Compartmentalisation of Grief and Tragedy: RIP

INDIVIDUAL

|

INTERPERSONAL : SCIENCES

humanistic ----------------------------------------- mechanistic

SOCIOLOGY : POLITICAL

|

POPULATION

a person A LOVED ONE (timeframe: grief) (timeframe: Why) (timeframe: answers) to questions that should not need be asked  (again and again....) 'problem' Fear uncertainty advice flight OR fight values ethics morality PSYCHO-	a house a house . . . a house a house Fire a house fighting Fire a house fighting . . Fire a house fighting Fire a house fighting |||||||||||||||||| strength of towers cladding - facade material science introducing: dead space "probably" 'problem' property: transparency vs opaque (time-frame: risk, evidence) -PHYSICAL
SOCIO- a HOME a group of people family friends social housing a community the most terrible of good-byes Towers of Strength SPIRITUAL (timeframe: social justice) D.ANGER 'problem' introducing: a 'new' home	-POLITICAL property material evidence facade - cladding cost ££ value $$ Health & Safety Law Building regulations (timeframe: Public Inquiry) (timeframe: ACTION) GOV.UK 'problem' 'political correctness'? local-regional-national introducing: another Public Inquiry

Some reflections on the tragic event at Grenfell Tower, London, UK.

Personal note: In posting this, of course, I do not wish to trivialise the enormity of what has happened, the point is that even in disasters - across the world, tools are needed to reflect, think critically, to support learning in order to ultimately assure a safer future for all...

A Nurse at the Front - book

The First World War Diaries of Sister Edith Appleton

Book cover: A nurse at the Front

This book, the second in a series of four unique War Diaries produced in conjunction with the Imperial War Museum, will tell a story that is rarely heard: the experiences of a nurse working close to the Western Front in the First World War. Incredibly, Edith Appleton served in France for the whole of the conflict. Her bravery and dedication won her the Military OBE, the Royal Red Cross and the Belgian Queen Elisabeth medal among others.

Her diary details with compassion all the horrors of the 'war to end wars', including the first use of poison gas and the terrible cost of battles such as Ypres, but she also records what life was like for nurses and how she spent her time off-duty. There are moments of humour amongst the tragedy, and even lyrical accounts of the natural beauty that still existed amidst all the destruction. [Publisher's description]