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Adult mental health in a changing international context: the relevance to social work
- Author:
- RUMON Shula
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Social Work, 39(8), December 2009, pp.1615-1622.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
This critical commentary surveys the field of mental health social work in the UK from an international perspective. There has been a major shift in societal and professional attitudes to mental health, moving from a medicalised, chronicity-oriented model to one that acknowledges the ability of those experiencing or recovering from mental ill-health to lead a meaningful life. Internationally there is a trend towards deinstitutionalisation, although in post-Communist and developing countries 'total institutions' persist alongside new, small-scale initiatives. Psychological and social therapies are becoming more available, together with early intervention and prevention services. Stigma against the mentally ill persists, partly fuelled by biased media reporting. Privatisation and commercialisation of services has developed hand in hand with opportunities for employing mental health service users and carers as support workers. Mental health service users are among the most deprived groups in the community. In the UK, mental health social workers are currently in a minority both within mental health and within social work. The implications for social work educators and researchers are considerable.