Safe spaces have become increasingly mocked in social discourse. Derided as being a space for ‘snowflakes’ and ‘woke’ people the idea of a space that caters to vulnerable groups is often seen as mawkish. However, with growing concerns about epistemic violence and injustice suffered by mental health service users, safe spaces have become vital in listening to those who voices are rarely represented in research or policymaking. Whilst the idea of safe spaces is not a new concept, the politicisation of these spaces is embedded in our present culture of political polarisation. In mental health settings, service user voices are still at the margins and are often treated as unreliable. Creating a safe space for service users requires listening to voices that are often dismissed for lacking professional expertise.
Asylum magazine has been publishing arguments, suggestions and artistic work of service users and allies for the last 35 years. Documenting a variety of conflicting and varied voices across the decades the magazine has been able to capture paradigm shifts in service user debates that have been responses to policy shifts (such as community care, the introduction of community treatment orders, recovery etc). Print media allows for the expression of views in a less emotive and more thoughtful manner. For service user involvement to thrive, it is important to create spaces in which diverse opinions can be expressed and heard. Even virtual spaces can help provide a means of solidarity and create opportunities for action.
