Criminalising Distress is an independent national study exploring the origins, impacts, accountability for, and alternatives to SIM (Serenity Integrated Mentoring) and similar programmes with different names based on the same model.

It is being conducted by Medact, a health justice charity. Former members of the StopSIM coalition are acting as a steering committee for the project, with their input sought on every aspect of the work. The University of Greenwich has granted ethical approval for this research.

They hope to use the research to amplify service users voices and ultimately push back against the securitisation of health and the criminalisation of distress.

They are looking for:

They’d like to interview anyone who is 18+ and has experience with SIM or a related programme. They want to foreground the voices of service users and will prioritise these interviewees, but would also like to speak with family members / friends of service users, and other stakeholders such as health workers.

Expected commitment from participants:

Interviews will take place in July, August or early September. These can take place online or in person, as the interviewee prefers.

Commitment to inclusion:

Interviews can take place online or in person, as the interviewee prefers. The Participant Information Sheet is available in two alternative formats: Plain English or Easy Read. They can cover travel expenses to in person interviews, web access costs for online interviews, and/or care costs for the time spent away from looking after dependents.

Find out more about the study

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