SOAD9103 Social Work Perspective on Mental Health

This topic emphasises a social work perspective to mental health and to the role of social work in a mental health context. It provides information about mental illness and mental health problems, mental health assessments, as well as the legal and policy framework surrounding mental health. A strong focus is recognition of the lived experience. Social workers emphasise a recovery approach in their practice. There is a recognition of the complexity of practice and of the skills and unique values which a social worker can bring into a multi-disciplinary team environment.

This topic aims to:

• Provide a theoretical basis to the delivery of mental health services
• Provide information about mental illness, mental health problems, mental health assessments, as well as the legal and policy framework surrounding mental health
• Emphasise the importance of the recovery approach
• Recognise complexity in the delivery of mental health services

1. Apply a theoretical lens to the delivery of mental health services
2. Have the beginning skills to conduct a mental health assessment and recognise aspects of the legal and policy framework surrounding this
3. Use a recovery approach in relationship with a person with lived experience
4. Understand the complexity of working in a multi-disciplinary team