This book presents the social context of mental health and illness. It takes a social causation perspective that emphasizes the psychological consequences of patterns of social organization. Part I emphasizes the social causes of psychological distress. Part II describes the societal reactions to deviant behavior emphasizing social labeling and the medical control of deviance. Reflecting the current focus in contemporary sociological research into mental illness, this book highlights the distinctive contribution of sociological explanations. It tells a unified story through the use of a consistent thematic presentation across all chapters and links discussions to important central themes throughout the discipline. An essential reference for all mental health and health care professionals in Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, and Nursing..