Kate Karban

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.

Social Work and Mental Health offers a fresh approach to addressing mental health issues, emphasizing the relevance of mental health for all social workers, not just those in specialist mental health settings. The book engages critically with the complexities of contemporary theory, policy and practice, recognizing developments in user and carer involvement and interprofessional working. Key chapters focus on inequality and diversity, drawing attention to the social determinants of health and the important contribution of social work in promoting social perspectives. Practice issues include the mental health of children, young people and families, and older people. Promoting rights, recovery and social justice - and balancing these with considerations of risk - are core themes running through the text. The book contains a number of examples and points for reflection intended to encourage critical thinking and further exploration of the issues. Suggestions for additional reading and resources are 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 social work students and practitioners as well as a wider audience.

The authors explore theoretical developments and policy and practice initiatives in the complex and changing area of mental health services. They examine the tensions, dilemmas and opportunities now operating, including those relating to gender and ethnicity and places the involvement of users/survivors centre stage. Identifying and discussing the tensions between different professional models, varying ‘social’ perspectives and political imperatives, the book explores how these tensions are manifested in practice. Key topics include:the emphasis on risk as opposed to citizenship and entitlementsocial exclusion and inclusionprofessional and user perspectivesthe ‘territories’ of health and social care and their respective roles and relationships. An important theme running throughout is the critical appraisal of perspectives concerning gender, ethnicity and sexuality, drawing out wider issues of power and inequality. This book makes ideas and theoretical policy material accessible and applicable, and is a key text for students and practitioners in mental health, social work and social care.

The authors explore theoretical developments and policy and practice initiatives in the complex and changing area of mental health services. They examine the tensions, dilemmas and opportunities now operating, including those relating to gender and ethnicity and places the involvement of users/survivors centre stage. Identifying and discussing the tensions between different professional models, varying ‘social’ perspectives and political imperatives, the book explores how these tensions are manifested in practice. Key topics include:the emphasis on risk as opposed to citizenship and entitlementsocial exclusion and inclusionprofessional and user perspectivesthe ‘territories’ of health and social care and their respective roles and relationships. An important theme running throughout is the critical appraisal of perspectives concerning gender, ethnicity and sexuality, drawing out wider issues of power and inequality. This book makes ideas and theoretical policy material accessible and applicable, and is a key text for students and practitioners in mental health, social work and social care.

This book brings lesbian and gay issues to the centre of the debate on anti-oppressive practice. It is an accessible and practical guide to the subject for all involved in student learning, aiming to provide practice teachers and educators with tools to help students develop their understanding of the effects of heterosexism as well as providing strategies for positive practice. Part 1 considers: ¢ the social background, raising important issues about the ways in which lesbians and gay men are marginalised in society and the subsequent reflection in social work education and practice; ¢ the legal framework within which social workers and probation officers operate, drawing attention to some of the tensions and dilemmas facing practitioners attempting to develop anti-discriminatory and anti-oppressive practice; ¢ a framework within which to develop non-homophobic and non-heterosexist practice within the Diploma in Social Work, raising important issues which need to be addressed both within the academic institutions and the practice learning environment; ¢ how to facilitate students’ learning in relation to anti-discriminatory and anti-oppressive practice with lesbian and gay service users; ¢ the assessment of students’ competence within the academic and practice curriculum; ¢ a model of good practice in working with lesbians and gay men, offering practical suggestions which can be incorporated into existing policies and procedures. Part 2 provides practical teaching and training materials including how to organise the training session, exercises and notes for trainers. these can be adapted to reflect individual or group needs, within the practice learning or academic environment.