Some reflections on social workers’ perspectives on mental health services in two cities - Sydney, Australia and Budapest, Hungary

2007 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 145-155 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zita Weber ◽  
Zsolt Bugarszki
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Theoretical Orientation ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Political Narratives ◽  
Travail Social ◽  
Two Cities ◽  
Sydney Australia

English This article reflects on the ways in which historical and political narratives have shaped social work practice in mental health in two cities, Sydney, Australia and Budapest, Hungary. A small sample of social workers was interviewed in the two cities and their perspectives highlighted many similarities in theoretical orientation to their practice. French Cette thèse s'arrête sur les façons dont les récits historiques et politiques ont façonnéla pratique du travail social dans deux villes, Sydney en Australie et Budapest en Hongrie. Un échantillon restreint de travailleurs sociaux ont étéinterviewés dans les deux villes et leurs perspectives ont mis en lumière un grand nombre de similitudes en ce qui a trait à l'orientation théorique de leur pratique. Spanish Se reflexiona sobre la manera en que narrativas históricas y políticas han dado forma a la práctica de trabajo social en Sydney (Australia) y Budapest (Hungría). Se entrevistóa una pequeña muestra de trabajadores sociales en las dos ciudades. Sus perspectivas muestran muchas semejanzas en la orientación teórica de su práctica.

Managing Risk in the Pro-Empowerment Era of Mental Health Care: A Cross-Cultural Study of Social Work Perspectives in Hong Kong and Sydney

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jialiang Cui ◽  
Limin Mao ◽  
Christy E Newman ◽  
Chi Kin Kwan ◽  
Kari Lancaster
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Management ◽  
Hong Kong ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Cultural Influences ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Assessment Guidelines

Abstract Risk management and empowerment have become key features of social work practice. Despite their increasing salience, relatively little is known about the perspectives of mental health social workers regarding how they navigate competing risk management approaches in modern practice that supports empowerment. The socio-cultural influences on risk management have also received insufficient attention in social work research. Focusing on these issues, this paper explored the perspectives of social workers in two geographically and culturally distinctive settings (i.e., Hong Kong and Sydney). Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with frontline social workers and were analysed using thematic analysis. Similar views were expressed by participants in both settings regarding assessment of clients’ readiness for risk-taking. Differences were identified in their practices of negotiating the perspectives of other key stakeholders and can be attributed to the influences of distinctive cultural and socio-political contexts. These insights may contribute to the development of more systematic, localised and practice-based risk assessment guidelines for mental health practitioners working towards the empowerment of clients.

A sampling of international practice variations

2005 ◽  
Vol 48 (5) ◽  
pp. 553-567 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judith Norman ◽  
Heather Hintze
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Practice Parameters ◽  
Travail Social ◽  
Trabajo Social ◽  
Practice Variations ◽  
Definition Of

Across the globe, social workers generally share common values and purposes, yet the focus of activities and practice parameters vary greatly. In an exploratory study, a survey of international practitioners revealed variable definitions of practice. The recent joint IASSW and IFSW definition of social work practice would likely help specific countries to clarify practice descriptions while promoting a more unified voice in social work efforts worldwide. French À travers le monde, les travailleurs sociaux partagent en général des valeurs et des buts communs. Pourtant, le centre des activités et les paramètres de pratique varient énormément. Les résultats de cette étude exploratoire des travailleurs sociaux internationaux indiquent qu'il existe des définitions variables de la pratique. La définition récente de la pratique en travail social conçue par AIETS et FITS pourrait aider des pays spécifiques à élaborer des descriptions de pratique particulières tout en favorisant une voix plus unifiée pour le travail social à travers le monde. Spanish A través del mundo, los trabajadores sociales generalmente comparten valores comunes y propósitos, aún cuando el enfoque de las actividades y los parámetros de la práctica varían enormemente. En un estudio exploratorio, una encuesta internacional de practicantes reveló definiciones diferentes de la práctica. La reciente definición común de la práctica del trabajo social por parte de organismos como la IASSW y la IFSW ayudarían bastante para que países específicos clarificasen las descripciones de la práctica; y así mismo a promover una voz más unificada en los esfuerzos del trabajo social a nivel mundial.

scholarly journals SOCIAL WORKERS’ACTIVITIES IN THE FIELD OF POPULATION’ MENTAL HEALTH PRESERVATION IN THE XXI CENTURY

2021 ◽  
Vol 74 (11) ◽  
pp. 2823-2828
Author(s):  
Liliia Y. Klos ◽  
Mariana V. Shkoliar ◽  
Sofiya G. Stavkova ◽  
Olena P. Kokhanova
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Interdisciplinary Approach ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Impact

The aim: Social work is focused on overcoming inequality and social isolation of individuals and communities due to health conditions. Therefore, substantiating the activities of social workers to preserve mental health of citizens is an important component of the new strategy for the development of the profession in the XXI century. Materials and methods: The methodological basis of the study is a holistic approach to the interpretation of individual health in the unity of physical, mental, social, and spiritual components; ecosystemic approach assumes the impact of the environment on the social functioning of the individual; interdisciplinary approach identifies ways of dealing withmental health challengein the global context; social inclusion approach provides a basis for the practice of experts of the social spherein the XXI century. Conclusions: The article substantiates the need for social workers to maintain the mental health of the population under the negative impact of global factors within their own countries and internationally. The evolution analysis of the international experience of transformations of social work practice in the area of mental health preservation is carried out. Preserving the mental health of citizens under the negative effects of globalization processes depends on the concerted actions of states, international organizations, civil society, communities, and individuals themselves. This encourages social workers to work at regional and international levels with institutions interested in fair policies and practices in social and health services.

Mental Health Status of Incarcerated Women in India: A Perspective from a Social Worker

2021 ◽  
pp. 097152152110579
Author(s):  
Navdeep Kaur ◽  
Sanjoy Roy
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Women Inmates ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Incarcerated Women ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
New Delhi ◽  
Incarcerated Population

Women constitute a growing segment of the incarcerated population across the world, presenting unique issues for social workers in correctional settings. In this article, based on a study conducted in Mandoli Jail, New Delhi, India, we address the need to broaden the scope and quality of social work provided for women inmates, specifically highlighting the potential role of social workers in promoting their mental health. Our study revealed that the mean age of women inmates was 39.43 years, indicating that most of the women were in their reproductive age and therefore prone to specific health issues. On an average, they were overweight, with only 42.22% women inmates being active, while remaining were inactive (15.56%), moderately inactive (22.22%) or moderately active (20.00%). Of greater concern were the mental health findings: 87.8% experienced distress (45.57% moderately elevated, 54.43% strongly elevated), 73.3% depression (34.85% moderately elevated, 65.15% strongly elevated), 77.78% anxiety (41.43% moderately elevated, 58.57% strongly elevated) and 82.22% somatisation (43.24% moderately elevated, 56.76% strongly elevated). Our study, consequently, identified the mental health of women inmates as a strategic priority for social workers. In this article, we explore the mutuality of various social work practice principles at different levels of intervention and the roles that social workers, as human rights-based professionals, may engage in to improve the mental health of incarcerated women.

scholarly journals Forensic Social Work: Practice and Vision

1986 ◽  
Vol 67 (6) ◽  
pp. 340-350 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas P. Brennan ◽  
Amy E. Gedrich ◽  
Susan E. Jacoby ◽  
Michael J. Tardy ◽  
Katherine B. Tyson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Criminal Justice ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Mental Health Systems ◽  
Case Examples ◽  
Forensic Social Work

Forensic social work can bridge the gap between the criminal justice and mental health systems and serve clients who “fall between the cracks.” The authors describe theoretical and clinical issues, utilizing case examples and the literature to develop a conceptual paradigm for the role of social workers in this area.

Sexual Revictimization: Implications for Social Work Practice

2007 ◽  
Vol 88 (4) ◽  
pp. 627-636 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca J. Macy
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Substance Abuse ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Violent Victimization ◽  
Sexual Revictimization ◽  
The Social ◽  
Sexually Violent

Substantial research demonstrates the existence of the sexual revictimization phenomenon; however, the problem of sexual revictimization is largely unattended and unexamined in the social work literature. Because of the pervasiveness of sexually violent victimization, social workers are frequently working with victim-survivors among their clients in child welfare, domestic violence, and sexual assault as well as physical health, mental health, and substance abuse settings. Social workers lacking a thorough knowledge about sexual revictimization and the strategies to prevent its occurrence may be missing important intervention opportunities. This paper helps to increase social workers’ awareness of the revictimization phenomenon and builds on the literature and research to provide recommendations for social work practice and research for revictimization prevention.

Reflectivity in social work practice with clients with mental-health illness

2006 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 245-255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kam-shing Yip
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Social Work Students ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Travail Social ◽  
Trabajo Social ◽  
Work Education ◽  
Different Levels

English The author's nine years' experience in developing social work students' practical reflectivity in working with clients with mental illness is described in this article. By means of various teaching strategies, students' different levels of reflectivity were developed. Promise and challenges to social work education are also discussed. French Dans cet article, l'auteur décrit son expérience de neuf ans en tant que formateur d'étudiants en travail social dans le développement de leur réflexivité dans le travail auprès de clients souffrant de maladie mentale. Divers niveaux de réflexivité des étudiants ont été développés à l'aide d'une variété de stratégies d'enseignement. Des promesses et des défis pour la formation des travailleurs sociaux sont également élaborés. Spanish El autor describe sus nueve años de experiencia enseñando a los estudiantes de trabajo social a usar la reflexión práctica en el trabajo con clientes con enfermedades mentales. Usando varias estrategias de enseñanza, los estudiantes desarrollaron sus capacidades reflexivas. Se examinan las promesas y las dificultades de la educación para el trabajo social.

scholarly journals Dyslexia Primer for Social Work

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-44
Author(s):  
Michelle D. Garner
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Lack Of Information ◽  
Low Iq ◽  
Current Science

Dyslexia is a lifelong epigenetic neurobiological difference (neurodiversity) in brain formation and processing. Though highly prevalent, most people, including social workers, know little about dyslexia. Whereas dyslexia predicts common cognitive strengths and weaknesses, it is most often associated only with weaknesses, due to misinformation or a simple lack of information. As a result, pervasive myths (e.g., laziness, low IQ) drive beliefs, attitudes, and policies that contribute to disproportionally poorer educational, financial, justice system, and mental health outcomes for individuals with dyslexia – a cycle of externally and internally applied stigmas with significant practical effects. This analysis applies a person-in-environment conceptual framework to explain this cycle, as a step toward disrupting it. The analysis uses translational research methods, drawing from current science, to provide positive framing to dispel common stigmatizing myths and to foster strengths-based social work practice and advocacy by and for individuals with dyslexia.

Chinese concepts of mental health

2005 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 391-407 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kam-shing Yip
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Santé Mentale ◽  
Strong Impact ◽  
Culturally Competent ◽  
Travail Social ◽  
Salud Mental ◽  
Sante Mentale ◽  
Traditional Chinese Medical

English In terms of the traditional Chinese medical, Confucian and Taoist schools of thought, Chinese concepts of mental health have a strong impact. All these have significant implications for culturally sensitive or culturally competent social work practice in Chinese communities. French Les concepts chinois de santé mentale, issus des écoles de pensée médicale chinoise traditionnelle, confucianiste et taoiste, ont un fort impact sur la santé mentale de la population chinoise. Ces écoles de pensée ont une implication significative pour le travail social compétent et culturellement sensible dans les communautés chinoises. Spanish De acuerdo a la medicina tradicional china y a las escuelas de pensamiento Confucianas y Taoi¨stas, los conceptos chinos sobre salud mental tienen un fuerte impacto en la salud mental de la población. Ello tiene implicaciones significativas sobre la cultura de sensibilidad o la cultura competente de la práctica del trabajo social con las comunidades chinas.

scholarly journals Social work practice implications of upcoming mental health reforms

2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Genevieve Smith ◽  
Joanna Appleby
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Health Agency ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
System Reform ◽  
District Health ◽  
The Impact

The Labour-led Government has recently announced new healthcare reforms in Aotearoa New Zealand. The four changes are:The current 20 District Health Boards (DHBs) across the country will be replaced by one national organisation, Health New Zealand.A new Māori Health Authority will have the power to commission health services, monitor the state of Māori health and develop policyNew Public Health Agency will be createdStrengthened Ministry of Health will monitor performance and advise governmentAs a teaser before the announcement, the country was informed that the reforms would be about equity and access. We, thewriters, are both Pākehā mental health social workers and we were eagerly awaiting news of the reforms. We have reflected on the current problems facing the mental health sector, speculated on how these may be addressed through system reform, and discussed our hopes for a better system.Based on our experience working within and alongside different DHB mental health services in the country we identified four major sector problems. These are the increasing demand and severity of presenting problems, the associated shifting goalposts of accessibility to manage demand, service variability between regions and issues of staff workload, and training and retention. As social workers, we have seen the impact of these issues upon multi-stressed families seeking support and we hope for reforms to address these equity issues.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document