Evaluating system fit with need: The changing role of the social worker in the mental health system

Uri Aviram*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the role of the social work profession in the mental health service arena. It analyzes the changing mental health environment and the challenges facing social work. It stresses that the profession must adapt to the dramatic changes that have been taking place since the advent of deinstitutionalization and the need for community care for mentally ill persons. Historical analysis of the social work profession shows that its involvement in the mental health field has started during the early stages of the development of the profession. Psychiatric social work has been considered a prestigious area of practice within the profession. Historically, social workers in the mental health field rarely challenged the dominance of the psychiatric profession. This position seems to have restrained social work from providing its full potential contribution to this field of practice and to the population it served. Assessment of the continuing problems and current issues of the mental health system shows the potential central role of social work in this area. However, changes must take place in the practice of social workers in the mental health service system, as well as in the education and training of social workers. The paper discusses factors that facilitate or hinder the profession from appropriately adapting to the current service needs of the mentally ill persons, their families and communities, providing quality mental health and social services to this population and society as well. [Article copies available for a fee from The Haworth Document Delivery Service: I-800-HAWORTH. E-mail address: <[email protected]> Website: <http://www.HaworthPress.com>

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationSocial Work Health and Mental Health
Subtitle of host publicationPractice, Research and Programs
PublisherTaylor and Francis
Pages615-632
Number of pages18
ISBN (Electronic)9781317788096
ISBN (Print)078901713X, 9780789017130
StatePublished - 1 Jan 2014

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2002 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

Keywords

  • Community care for mentally ill persons
  • Mental health services
  • Social work

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