I'm running my depression

Self-management of depression in neoliberal Australia

Bibliographic Data

ID4595576
AuthorsBianca Brijnath (0000-0002-0536-6859, Monash University, corresponding author), Josefine Antoniades (0000-0003-4658-1405, Monash University)
Year2016
Volume152
Pages1-8
Publication date2016-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueSocial Science & Medicine (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0277-9536 • E-ISSN: 1873-5347
PublisherElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.socscimed.2016.01.022
PMID26820111
OpenAlexW2280340405
LanguageEN
Citations received26
References cited36

The current study examines how the neoliberal imperative to self-manage has been taken up by patients, focusing specifically on Indian-Australians and Anglo-Australians living with depression in Australia. We use Nikolas Rose's work on governmentality and neoliberalism to theorise our study and begin by explicating the links between self-management, neoliberalism and the Australian mental health system. Using qualitative methods, comprising 58 in-depth interviews, conducted between May 2012 and May 2013, we argue that participants practices of self-management included reduced use of healthcare services, self-medication and self-labour. Such practices occurred over time, informed by unsatisfactory interactions with the health system, participants confidence in their own agency, and capacity to craft therapeutic strategies. We argue that as patients absorbed and enacted neoliberal norms, a disconnect was created between the policy rhetoric of self-management, its operationalisation in the health system and patient understandings and practices of self-management. Such a disconnect, in turn, fosters conditions for risky health practices and poor health outcomes

Agency (philosophy · Craft · Depression · Depression (economics · Economic growth · Economics · Governmentality · Health care · Managerialism · Mental health · Neoliberalism (international relations · Political science · Politics · Psychiatry · Public relations · Qualitative research · Self-management · Social science · Sociology · Diabetes Management and Education · Mental Health and Patient Involvement · Mental Health Treatment and Access · Psychology · Gender Studies · Law

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