Social Work and Mental Health
SWTP - Socail Work in Theory and Practise
1. Edition April 2011
224 Pages, Hardcover
Wiley & Sons Ltd
Social Work and Mental Health offers a fresh approach to addressing mental health issues across all aspects of social work practice, emphasising the relevance of mental health for all social workers, not just those in specialist mental health settings.
The book provides critical engagement with the complexities of contemporary theory, policy and practice in this area, recognising developments in user and carer involvement and interprofessional working. Key chapters focus on issues of inequality and diversity, drawing attention to the social determinants of health and the important contribution of social work in promoting social perspectives in mental health. Practice issues addressed include the mental health of children, young people and families, and older people, as well as a range of mental health conditions that are likely to be encountered. Promoting rights, recovery and social justice - and balancing these with considerations of risk - are core themes that run throughout the text.
The book contains a number of practice examples and points for reflection intended to encourage critical thinking and further exploration of the issues raised. Suggestions for additional reading and resources are also offered at the end of each chapter.
Overall the book provides a valuable framework for understanding and responding to mental health issues that will be useful for all social work students and practitioners as well as a wider audience.
PART 1 Perspectives on Mental Health
1 Voices from the Front Line: Users and Carers
2 Theories, Models and Concepts
3 The Policy Framework
4 The Legal Framework
PART 2 Mental Health, Inequalities and Diversity
5 Communities and Inequalities
6 Diversity
PART 3 Social Work Practice and Mental Health
7 The Mental Health Needs of Children, Young People and Families
8 The Mental Health Needs of Older People
9 Working with People Experiencing Depression, Anxiety and Trauma
10 Working with People Experiencing Psychosis
11 Interprofessional Working in Response to Risk
Conclusion
Appendix 1 Social Work National Occupational Standards
References
key areas of theory, research and reflective practice for
practicioners relatively new (or returning) to the topic and I
would warmly recommend it as a useful resource for this
audience."
British Journal of Social Work
"Kate Karban's book is approachable, well-informed and grounded
in social work values and practice. Importantly it is not just for
the specialist mental health practicioner; it shows how social
workers can make positive contributions to the well-being of
service users in many different settings."
Juliet Koprowska, Department of Social Policy and Social Work,
York University
"A social approach to mental health is needed more than ever.
Karban's Social Work and Mental Health provides social care
practicioners with all the arguments necessary to defend their
corner. This will be invaluable resource for trainees and those
already working in the field."
David Pilgrim, School of Social Work, University of Central
Lancashire
"Taking inspiration from a wide range of sources, particularly
perspectives of people who have experience of mental distress, Kate
Karban offers an excellent introduction to mental health social
work. The field has long been dominated by biomedical constructions
of 'mental illness' and it is most refreshing to read about
people's social experiences and issues of inequality and diversity,
which we know are major contributory factors to mental health
difficulties."
Jerry Tew, Institute of Applied Social Studies, Birmingham
University
