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The social work contribution to mental health services: the future direction: report of responses to the discussion paper
- Author:
- NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR MENTAL HEALTH IN ENGLAND
- Publisher:
- National Institute for Mental Health in England
- Publication year:
- 2006
- Pagination:
- 60p.
- Place of publication:
- Leeds
This discussion paper, produced by the National Institute for Mental Health in England, is intended as a catalyst for an exchange of information, experience and ideas about the contribution of social work to mental health services. The paper aims to inform the development of action plans to support the social work contribution to mental health services both now and in the future. The discussion paper generated a debate with commissioners, employers and social workers in primary, secondary and tertiary mental health and social care services on the contribution that social workers can make to the support and recovery of people of all ages in mental distress.
Clinical assessment and diagnosis in social work practice
- Authors:
- CORCORAN Jacqueline, WALSH Joseph
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- Publication year:
- 2006
- Pagination:
- 518p., bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- Oxford
This user-friendly textbook not only guides social workers in developing competence in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR) system of diagnosis, it also assists them in staying attuned during client assessment to social work values and principles: a focus on client strengths, concern for the worth and dignity of individuals, appreciation of environmental influences on behaviour, and a reliance on evidence-based approaches. The authors, seasoned practitioner-scholars, provide an in-depth exploration of fourteen major mental disorders that social workers commonly see in practice, integrating several perspectives in order to meet the challenges social workers face in client assessment. A risk and resilience framework helps social workers understand environmental influences on the emergence of mental disorders and the strengths that clients already possess. Social workers will also learn to apply critical thinking to the DSM when it is inconsistent with social work values and principles. Finally, the authors catalogue evidence-based assessment instruments and treatments so that social workers can intervene efficiently and effectively, using the best resources available. Students and practitioners alike will appreciate the wealth of case examples, evidence-based assessment instruments, and treatment plans that make this an essential guide to the assessment and diagnostic processes in social work practice.
Promoting the psychosocial health of the elderly: the role of social workers
- Author:
- CHONG Alice M.
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work in Health Care, 44(1/2), 2006, pp.91-109.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This paper considers the psychosocial health of older people, especially in Hong Kong and China, noting the statistical mis-match between high life satisfaction scores and significantly above average suicide rates. Reasons for this inconsistency are considered, and social workers are warned to be aware that, despite a general climate of high life satisfaction, there is likely to be a minority of older people who are very unhappy and require help. The weakening of traditional support networks is likely to exacerbate this problem, as well as increasing the demand for formal health and social care services. The implications of these trends for social workers are discussed in relation to their engagement with individual older people, including building up networks of social support; their role as advocates to empower older people at the community level; and their professional role at international level to share best practice. Finally, social workers are advised to address their own attitudes towards older people, and keep their knowledge of physical and mental health conditions up to date. (Copies of this article are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Centre, Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580).
Social workers' attitudes about psychotropic drug treatment with youths
- Authors:
- MOSES Tally, KIRK Stuart A.
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work: A journal of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), 51(3), July 2006, pp.211-222.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
There have been few studies about the views of practicing clinical social workers on the use of psychiatric drugs in the treatment of young people. This study, a cross-sectional survey of a national sample of social workers in the United States, examines their views about medications and the role they may play in the treatment of youths. Social workers included in the sample met the following criteria: i) had MSW degrees; ii) identified themselves as practicing in either mental health or school social work; and iii) reported that their primary function was clinical or direct practice. The findings suggest that social workers hold complex views that recognize both the potential benefits and harms of psychotropic medications, but overall they seem to support their use in a judicious manner.
Social work and mental health
- Author:
- GOLIGHTLEY Malcolm
- Publisher:
- Learning Matters
- Publication year:
- 2006
- Pagination:
- 173p., bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- Exeter
- Edition:
- 2nd ed.
The range of mental health problems experienced by people in society is extensive and varied, with estimates that one in four people will experience mental health problems at some time in their lives. This second edition provides a thorough grounding in key mental health issues and, by highlighting the skills and values that are necessary for contemporary practice, helps students to develop the knowledge and understanding needed to deliver an appropriate and responsive service for people facing mental health challenges. It has been updated to reflect new mental health legislation and includes increased coverage of children and adolescent mental health.
Social work and malingering
- Author:
- MURDACH Allison D.
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Work, 31(2), May 2006, pp.155-158.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Malingering is defined by the American Psychiatric Association as the "intentional production of false or exaggerated physical or psychological symptoms" in pursuit of "external incentives", such as escaping criminal prosecution, receiving financial compensation, or gaining access to drugs or medication. This American article looks the identification and treatment of malingers. It also provides a list of treatment suggestions which includes material by both social workers and other clinicians who have addressed this issue.
Child soldiers in Sierra Leone and the problems of demobilisation, rehabilitation and reintegration into society: some lessons for social workers in war-torn societies
- Author:
- ZACK-WILLIAMS Tunde B.
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work Education (The International Journal), 25(2), March 2006, pp.119-128.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Between March 1991 and February 2002 Sierra Leone was engulfed in a bloody and protracted civil war in which tens of thousands of people were killed, many more injured, over half of the population displaced and millions of pounds worth of property destroyed. Much of the violence unleashed, particularly on the civilian population, was the work of child soldiers. The phenomenon of child soldiers raises many issues of children's well-being, although this phenomenon is not unique to Africa. In this paper, the author briefly analyses the reasons for and the nature of the conflict, in particular the social forces which impelled children to join social movements challenging for state hegemony. The author focuses on how peripheral capitalism has impacted on the Sierra Leonean family and how the ensuing political and economic crises have left Sierra Leonean children with little security, forcing them to turn to family surrogates (social movements) for protection. The author examines the processes of demobilisation, rehabilitation and reintegration of former child combatants and some of the problems and challenges to social work and social workers working with traumatised children from war ravaged communities in African nations. The author suggests that Tonnies' dichotomy between ‘Gemeinschaft’ and ‘Gesellschaft’ offers a useful framework for social work education in this context.
Assessing the mental health needs of older people
- Author:
- SOCIAL CARE INSTITUTE FOR EXCELLENCE
- Publisher:
- Social Care Institute for Excellence
- Publication year:
- 2006
- Place of publication:
- London
- Edition:
- Rev. ed.
This web-based resource provides an overview of information and current practice to all those involved in assessing the social care needs of older people with mental health needs. It is aimed primarily at practitioners undertaking assessments, in particular, those front-line staff who may be the first professional in contact with an older person or their family and friends. The Guide provides access to the information and skills that inform sound judgements in the support of service users and carers. Its coverage includes: messages from research; current policy and guidance; service users and carers; the social workers role in assessment; assessing need; black and minority ethnic older people; implications of the Mental Health Act 1983; and interagency working. Also incorporated in the contents are practice and service examples, useful further reading and links to additional information on the web and to full text of official guidance and standards. (Previously published as SCIE Practice Guide no. 2).
Mental health consumer and carers participation in professional education: 'Getting there together' for children of parents with mental illness and their families
- Authors:
- COWLING Vicki, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Australian Social Work, 59(4), December 2006, pp.406-421.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
‘Getting There Together’ is a professional education seminar developed as a collaborative project by professionals, mental health consumers and carers aimed at service providers who work with children of parents with mental illness and their families. The need for such professional education concerning this group is well recognised and the project reported herein was initiated by a reference group of professionals, consumers and carers focusing on children of parents with mental illness in the Eastern region of Melbourne (Victoria, Australia). The project began and continued as a collaborative effort during development and implementation, which ensured the experience, point of view and voice of consumers and carers was central to the material prepared, and at the time of seminar presentations. Seminar participants were from the family welfare, child care and supported housing sectors. Seminar participants found the first person accounts of consumers and carers the most helpful aspects of the seminars because they gave new insights into the experiences of carers and of mental health consumers as parents, as well as an understanding of ‘… the whole family, and how the child fits into the picture’.
Mental health professionals' exposure to clients with problematic internet experiences
- Authors:
- WELLS Melissa, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Technology in Human Services, 24(4), 2006, pp.35-52.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This paper examines clients' exposure to problematic Internet experiences among a national sample of 2,098 social workers, psychologists, marriage and family therapists, and other mental health professionals in the United States. This analysis finds that mental health professionals are working with clients experiencing a range of problems related to Internet use. Clients problems related to Internet use ranged from: adult pornography, child pornography, sexual approaches, fraud, excessive internet use, gaming or harassment. However, these professionals have generally not been exposed to training or information in the professional literature on the topic of working with clients with problematic Internet experiences. The authors identify several areas in which additional training is needed and review practical implications for mental health professionals. (Copies of this article are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Centre, Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580).