S OCIAL W ORK IN M ENTAL H EALTH S ETTINGS M ENDOCINO C OLLEGE HUS 170 – I NTRO TO S OCIAL W ORK P REPARED BY A LESE J ENKINS, LCSW – M ARCH 2013

WHAT IS DIFFERENT ABOUT SOCIAL WORK IN A MENTAL HEALTH SETTING? Social Work is a secondary function in the Mental Health setting (as is social work in a medical setting, educational setting or criminal justice setting) The primary goal of the Mental Health setting is to help stabilize the individuals mental and emotional health.

S OCIAL WORK GOALS / VALUES IN THE M ENTAL H EALTH S ETTING Respect the dignity of the client Respect a clients right to self determination, when appropriate Advocate on behalf of client/teach client self- advocacy skills Maintain confidentiality Help empower clients Encourage independence when possible Work in harmony with team/institution Be culturally sensitive see page 198 in text NASW recommendations for working with mental health clients

W HAT S PECIAL KNOWLEDGE IS NEEDED TO WORK IN THE MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM ? Understand mental health disorders and become familiar with the DSM-IV-TR Understand mental health hospital and clinical settings, treatment options and therapeutic techniques Be familiar with in-patient and out-patient programs Understand the role of each member of the mental health team Understand discharge planning and become familiar with community resources

W HO IS ON THE TYPICAL M ENTAL H EALTH T EAM ? Psychiatrist A doctor of medicine (MD) who can diagnose mental disorders and prescribe medication

W HO IS ON THE TYPICAL M ENTAL H EALTH T EAM ? Psychologist A licensed PHD who can administer psychometric tests, diagnose mental disorders and offer psychotherapy

W HO IS ON THE TYPICAL M ENTAL H EALTH T EAM ? Psychiatric Nurse Administers, manages and monitors medications and educates patients and family about medications, side effects and other health related concerns

W HO IS ON THE TYPICAL M ENTAL H EALTH T EAM ? Social Worker Most often an MSW or LCSW. Gathers info for assessment, provides individual and group therapeutic services, develops a treatment plan, case management, advocacy, discharge planning and referral to community resources

WHAT IS A MENTAL DISORDER? Impaired or dysfunctional cognitive or behavioral patterns that occur in individuals that cause suffering, pain or some level of disability From: Suppes and Wells The Social Work Experience: An Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare

W HAT AFFECTS THE MENTAL HEALTH OF AN INDIVIDUAL ?

Biological Factors Heredity Physical Trauma, Brain Injury Substance Abuse Infections Congenital Defects Malnutrition in early childhood Chronic disease Brain chemistry Menopause/hormonal changes

W HAT AFFECTS THE MENTAL HEALTH OF AN INDIVIDUAL ? Psychological Factors Childhood Trauma, such as emotional, physical, sexual abuse Childhood Neglect An important loss in life Trauma, at other stages of life

W HAT AFFECTS THE MENTAL HEALTH OF AN INDIVIDUAL ? Environmental Factors Crisis (exposure to natural disasters, etc) Lack of health care Poverty Chronic unemployment Stressful life experiences Loss Major life changes

S OME COMMON MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS : Dysthymia Major Depressive Disorder Generalized Anxiety Disorder Bipolar Disorders Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Schizophrenia Conduct Disorder Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

T HE DSM IV-TR A manual that is a system of classifications of mental disorders Diagnosis is determined by behavioral patterns that cause suffering and disability