This book deals with a wide range of mental health issues which are certainly of relevance to anyone working in this field. The many contributors have a great deal valuable experience and specialised knowledge and the content is rich and varied as a result. As good as it is, I certainly would not describe this as a core, "must-have" text. Also, this text was published in 1996 and your £55 might go a long way towards something more up-to-date instead, like a journal subscription, library membership or the next of edition of this book, to which I look forward with interest! If the text is required reading on a course or module a library loan might suffice, but if you must buy it it will certainly not go to loss!