It is a cause for celebration to be able to introduce this thought-provoking book to a wider public. Each chapter is the tip of an iceberg of knowledge and experience, perfectly replicating the sense of discovery of the original study day that inspired the book. The Social Perspectives Network (SPN) is a network open to anyone who is interested in looking at mental distress in terms of people’s social experience – how social factors may both contribute to people becoming distressed, and play a crucial part in promoting their recovery. It grew out of a need to find space to explore the common ground between thosewho use services and.