Social Workers in Mental Health Facilities and Outpatient Clinics

Group therapy is a way for patients

Social workers have many different practices and approaches to draw on for work with individuals, families, communities and society as a whole. These approaches and techniques can be varied depending on the distinctive

Substance abuse and addictions counseling is a newer counseling field. Although it is fairly new, there is so much research and so many guidelines to help someone make it through as a substance abuse and addictions counselor. It holds a great importance and people should be aware of the severity of substance abuse and addiction. This field has several aspects and themes that help an addict or substance abuser gain a new lifestyle without substances. Reasons for use, assessment, diagnosis, treatment/recovery/rehabilitation, and sober living are extremely important topics in the

While the work of all human-service practitioners overlaps in numerous ways, the field of social work is unique because social workers are concerned about human behavior in the context of social environment.

Social work refers to the profession in which there is a “distinctive emphasis... on the interface between individuals and their social environment” (Toseland & Rivas, 2005, p. 5). The profession was created as a response to a need or concern (Johnson & Yanca, 2010, p. 4). Common human needs include: food, shelter, clothing, health care, opportunities for emotional and intellectual growth, as well as meaningful relationships (Johnson & Yanca, 2010, p. 6). As Johnson and Yanca (2009) state, social work is only one of several social functioning professions and continues to develop from influences from the past and present (p. 10). The profession itself mainly focuses on social welfare, as its purpose is to “promote human and community well-being” (Schriver, 2011, p. 3).

We are the present. The future is our children. We all have some child(ren) in our lives whom we love dearly and would probably die for them. They are our future. Many of those children need help; mental, emotional, and physical help. If these children do not receive help, our future will be worse than the present is now. Social workers can help fix that. In the last paper, I addressed the issue of social status/work. The work status fluctuates greatly pending on the field of discussion and the discussion this time is on Social Workers. Social work is a “professional and academic discipline that seeks to improve the quality of life and enhance wellbeing of individuals, families, couples, groups, and communities through research, policy planning, community development, direct practice, crisis intervention, ensuring social welfare and security for those affected by social disadvantages such as poverty, psychosocial care to mentally and physically disabled, and raising voices against social injustice for social reforms, including social actions against violations of civil liberties and human rights.” In other words, social work is work carried out by trained personnel with the aim of alleviating the conditions of those in need of help or welfare. When I say, “in need of help” I’m talking about that mental, physical, and emotional help that was mentioned earlier. In other words, social workers go through hell and back to achieve their mission of helping a

. . every specialty area in the health system – including emergency room services, oncology, pediatrics, general medicine and surgery, intensive care, rehabilitation, substance abuse programs, public health, and mental health – employs social workers” (DuBois and Miley 308). Meaning that I could work in any of those fields, if I continue my education as a social worker. My goal is to work in a hospital setting with children who have diabetes or cancer and their families, or in a nursing home with elderly people and their families. For that I have to continue my education in the social work field and I’m glad I took this course because I learned the different degrees there is to become a social worker. I also, learned more about the roles in a health system, when I interview Kim Bartells who’s a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) in Michealsen Health Center. Then, I learn the annual salary of a social worker with each level of

Literature suggests that social workers define their role while at the same time negative fine line of professional boundaries. The importance of interdisciplinary involvement by the total health care team is central to effective patient care. Thus, it is critical for social workers to communicate patients’ goals, strengths, barriers and supports across disciplines. The need to move patients through the health care system in an effective and cost-effective way means that social workers and other healthcare professionals must learn ways of providing patient teaching collaboratively. Due to social work’s unique relationship with patients and clients, social workers are in the unique position to provide leadership for patient education, transparency, and to capitalize on the strengths of each discipline for the patient’s optimal

Social work is a profession which seeks to better the lives of those in need. The need can look like anything from political advocacy to those who are hungry. A social worker can be found in an organization which has a purpose that is enhanced or aided by the work we do which is guided by the ethics and values of the profession. From social workers in a clinical setting to those in public libraries, these ethics and values unite professionals in a variety of places and roles. The accountability and standards social work has aids the individual and profession to keep the best candidates in the different positions we take. A social worker is like a medic in the military. A medic is part of a unit that is there to assist the mission and provide medical aide when necessary. The thread of social work connects good people to a common goal.

Social Workers help patients through the process of diagnosis and treatment. They are available for crisis intervention, counseling, client-centered advocacy, and providing information and education to patients and their families. The goal is to assist with decision making, and encourage development of positive coping strategies and empowering patients/families to participate actively in their treatment (Bigeye, Winnie Palmer hospital cafe,

From this meek beginning, social work has progressed into a professional service with treatment obligations in all patient care areas, helping patients and families to attain their highest level of adjustment/coping in society, endorsing vocational and psychosocial rehabilitation. Social workers develop and implement treatment approaches which address individual social difficulties and work with acute/chronic medical conditions, dying patients, and bereaved families. VA social workers are liable for ensuring continuity of care through the admission, evaluation, treatment, and follow-up processes. This consists of coordinating discharge planning and providing case management services based on the patients clinical and community health and

Social workers carry out an important role of assisting groups, families, and individuals, of all populations, cope with difficult life challenges at micro and macro levels of society. They provide support and services for a wide range of social issues such as poverty, abuse, drug abuse and addiction, disability, and physical or mental illnesses. Professions in this field carry out a variety of specializations in almost every component of society from hospitals, prisons, mental health facilities, senior living facilities, elected offices, as well as private and public agencies. Along with providing social services, social workers also act as advocates to society’s most vulnerable populations. As advocates, social workers campaign to ensure

Through academic and personal experiences, I have formed a broad understanding of social work. I personally view the field of social work as a gigantic umbrella that overshadows a vast array of specialized careers. The social work field is made up of educated and experienced professionals that strive to make a difference in the lives of the population in which they serve. I believe social work to be a fairly

I also realized that social work and psychology work hand in hand seeing Psychologists are essential additions to several career fields including hospital or health center setting where psychologists often operate alongside medication staff and in social welfare; operating as occupational therapists and physiotherapists as clinical psychologists. In relation to the above discussion on theoretical approaches, Class 3 presentation by Guest speaker Dr. Gerald

Social work has grown, evolved and adapted over time to address the needs of an ever changing diverse society. Social workers have a unique culture linked to their profession that has changed over the years. In 1915 social work was not really seen as a profession as it lacked technical skills and specialised knowledge. However today social work has evolved as it now requires education and training and the social work to have a background check to make sure they are suitable for the role. The profession has certain ethics, values and practices in place. Cultural identity is a massive part of social work today whereas it was not in the past. Today is guides practice and provides social workers with support, pride and motivation. This is done through multiagency working as the social work will get support from other health and social care professionals, this will provide them with support and confidence. (USC Social Work,