SW 465 Social Work in Community Mental Health

 

Steven D. Hay, MSW, Ph.D.

 

Course Description:

This course studies the bio-psycho-social aspects of emotional maladjustments.

The history of community mental health will be studied as well as various aspects of assessment, social causations, treatments and prevention of mental illness. Using the *generalist social work method the role of the baccalaureate social worker in community and behavioral mental health

is explored.

 

Course Requirements:

Fulfill course objectives; this will be done by reading and studying the text book, completing the case study and discussion questions at the end of each chapter as applicable, successful completion of four exams on readings and class lecture, participation in class, completion of group project on an area of mental health social work practice, presentation to class on group project learning experience.  Participate in observation and interaction with a social welfare agency that deals with mental health concerns.

 

Course Goals and Objectives:

1.  Acquaint the student with the history and policies that deal with mental illness, mental health and behavioral health in the social work field.

2.  Study the bio-psycho-social aspects of mental illness (history, assessment, social causations, various mental disorders, treatments, preventative measures.)

3.  Understand how the generalist social work model is applicable to bio-psycho-social assessment, case management, ethical concerns, human diversity, interventions, evaluation, and termination in social work practice.  Including how the student can integrate Christian service and generalist social work practice.

4.  Observe some actual case examples of various mental disorders in mental health social work by seeing how communities care for persons with mental illness, i.e. case management and community resources.  The community resources perspective will include participating, observing, and interacting with a social welfare agency that deals with mental health concerns.  A goal is to learn to work effectively with social policy, social service delivery systems and in professional social work employment.

5. Understand the role of the baccalaureate social work in community and behavioral mental health.

 

Program Objectives 12, 13, 14 relate to course goals and objectives:

12.  Develop the knowledge, skills and leadership to work effectively with organizations, social systems, and to seek necessary change.

13.  Apply and integrate generalist social work practice and Christian service.

14.  Explore in greater depth a field of social work practice, for bachelor's level social work.

 

Generalist practice in the BYU-Idaho Social Work program is characterized by:

(1) Entry level social work practice wherein the student has acquired core knowledge for social work practice; including development of knowledge and skill to engage in professional relationship, identifying issues, problems, resources, assessments, appropriate intervention, evaluation, and termination with diverse client systems (individual, family, group, organization, and community).

 

(2) Operation from a multidimensional perspective i.e. multiple theoretical perspectives, (systems theory, ecological theory) and a holistic foundation.

 

(3) Generalist practice is carried out using professional values/ethics, appreciation, sensitivity to human diversity, and the pursuit of social and economic justice.

 

 

Assignments:

Complete readings of the required textbook, participate in class discussion and study lecture material.  Successfully complete exams and quizzes.  Complete case studies and discussion questions at the end of each chapter as assigned.  Participate in an individual or group project on an area of mental health social work practice (typically a chapter of the text book) and  present to class the information learned.  Participate, observe and interact with a social welfare agency that deals with mental health concerns.  A paper integrating what you have learned in class and what you did in the agency is required.  This paper should be 5 -10 pages in length (a general guideline, it can be longer if necessary), and discuss how the generalist social work method is applicable in community mental health.  Include the social work process i.e. (relationship formation, assessment, intervention, evaluation, termination) as related to how the agency you participated in used this process and the generalist method i.e. work with individuals, groups, families, and community.  Be sure to include the role of the baccalaureate social worker in community and behavioral mental health.  You can conclude with how you see the integration of Christian service and generalist social work practice in mental health social work.  Your paper should be written in the A.P.A. style and include documentation as appropriate.  Attendance will be part of the grade you earn for the class.  (Clarification of assignments will be given in class).

 

 

References:

American Psychiatric Association.  (1994).  Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental

         Disorders IV.  Washington, D.C.

 

Mechanic, David.  (1999).  Mental Health and social Policy, The Emergence of Managed

         Care (fourth edition).  Needham Heights, MA: Allyn & Bacon.

 

Sands Roberta G.  (2001).  Clinical Social Work Practice in Behavioral Mental Health,

         A Postmodern Approach to Practice with Adults (second edition).  Needham Heights,

         MA:  Allyn & Bacon.  (Text)