This paper proposes a theoretical and methodological reflection on a socially and politically "invisible" group: people with mental health issues chronic or severe enough to pose a serious obstacle to their life, yet not severe enough to require a permanent institutionalisation or excluding them from participation in social and political life. Two groups in particular will be considered: elder people with early stage or moderate dementia, and adults with chronic (and more or less disabling) psychological health issues (depression etc.).
On the basis of poststructuralist discourse analysis and of theoretical insights from the fields of disability studies and gender studies, I will propose a reflection on how we could reconceptualise these groups in a way that restores their status as full citizens while giving voice to what they have to say about themeselves, the policies (or non policies) that affect them through their life course.
