ABSTRACT
This chapter defines Severe and enduring mental illness (SEMI) and some of the consequences of its use. It begins with considering the political backdrop against which increasing use of the category severe and enduring mental illness has been strongly influenced. Primary care is currently facing the enormous challenge of how best to meet the needs of people who are variously described as experiencing mental distress, have mental health problems or who have a mental illness. Regarding the criterion of diagnosis, severely mentally ill people were seen as 'typically people suffering from schizophrenia or a severe affective disorder, but including dementia'. The medical model of assessment, diagnosis and treatment is the predominant model health professionals use within the National Health Services (NHS), particularly the medical profession. The medical model uses the language of illness, pathology and dysfunction. It focuses on symptoms and their treatment rather than attending to the whole person.
