scholarly journals Spirituality, religion and social work in recovery

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 21-33
Author(s):  
Pamela Elias Ka'adan El-Nachef

This study addresses the potential role of spirituality in promoting mental health and wellbeing and argues for its utility in the helping professions. Spirituality, as a common human orientation, has long been a central notion in recovery movements. In the first part of the paper the author discusses the differences and overlaps between spirituality and its traditional form, religion. In the second part a questionnaire was used to study laypersons’, and professional helpers’ views on spirituality. The convenience sample comprised 137 persons. Professionals could find spirituality an important resource in their practice and included it in their interventions mainly when their clients had introduced the theme first. Most of the laypersons in the sample were concerned with spiritual issues and regularly practiced meditation or prayer. They conceived spirituality to cope with mental or physical illnesses.

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanne D. Worsley ◽  
Paula Harrison ◽  
Rhiannon Corcoran

Abstract Background Due to the increasing concern over student mental health and wellbeing, attention has turned to the matter of creating environments, communities, and institutions which enable students to flourish. Methods To explore the role of accommodation environments in first year student mental health and wellbeing, eight focus groups were conducted in two universities in North West England and analysed using thematic analysis. Results Three overarching themes were identified: ‘The betwixt space’; ‘Accommodations as vessels to cultivate friendships and communities’; and ‘The importance of accommodation-based pastoral staff’. As attachment to place and relationships with significant others are disrupted by the transition, this leaves young people vulnerable whilst they go through a process to re-attach to new people and a new environment, and loneliness and social isolation were keenly felt during this period. Physical attributes of place that prevent social cohesion further exacerbated feelings of loneliness. Conclusions As it is common for students to withdraw physically and psychologically when they do not form friendships within their flat, accommodation-based pastoral staff have an important role to fulfil. Although these findings demonstrate the importance of the human element within accommodation, designing places that facilitate community, a sense of we-ness, and belonging is crucial.


2010 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-82
Author(s):  
Shirley Simon ◽  
Edward Gumz ◽  
Susan Grossman ◽  
James Marley ◽  
Yolanda Golden

This article describes and analyzes the development and implementation of a 5-year BSW–MSW program at a Midwestern school of social work. Key pedagogical and programmatic considerations in the development of such programs are identified. Specific information about the admission process and curricular pathway is provided. Five-year and traditional MSW students are compared on their performance in foundation-level MSW courses. The results of evaluative surveys of faculty members and 5-year students are also presented. The potential role of 5-year programs in social work education is discussed.


1994 ◽  
Vol 74 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 1331-1338 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberto J. Velasquez ◽  
David Evans ◽  
Wendell J. Callahan ◽  
Toshiro Ishikuma

The DSM-III—R is used by the subdisciplines of mental health including psychiatry, psychology, and social work. Yet, of all subdisciplines, it has historically met the most resistance from the counseling profession. Until the early 1980s, discussion of the DSM in the counseling literature was taboo. It has only been in the last 10 years that counselors have begun to discuss the role of the DSM in counseling. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the actual extent of DSM-III—R training in counseling programs. Analysis suggested that the counseling programs have included training in psychiatric diagnosis, but this training continues to meet resistance as it is inconsistent within the curricula of such programs.


Author(s):  
Ranjit Kumar Dehury ◽  
Rajeev Kumar

Mental wellbeing was the centerpiece of the Indian system of medicine. Many healthcare issues are resolved by the peace of mind and brain stimulating processes. Of late, Government of India adopted many systems of medicines that are complementary to the modern allopathic medicines and named it AYUSH system of medicine. In this Ayurveda, Yoga, Homoeopathy, Siddha, Unani, Swa-rigppa, and additional healing systems are represented. There is also a great need for psychological wellbeing due to the rapid increase in stressful life situations. The current modern medical care is not adequate to provide mental health services in the society. At the same time, many indigenous and AYUSH system have come into action and solve the problem the best way it possible. The chapter focuses on the role of AYUSH system in catering to mental wellbeing in India. The policies of the government of India are to promote mental health and wellbeing in society. The specialties of various systems of medicine in curing the mental health conditions have been elaborated.


2013 ◽  
Vol 43 (12) ◽  
pp. 538-544 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa E. DeRosier ◽  
Ellen Frank ◽  
Victor Schwartz ◽  
Kevin A. Leary

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 186-195
Author(s):  
Joshua Levine ◽  
Leo Sher

AbstractObjective:Suicide is a serious public health issue that affects individuals, families and societies all over the world. International studies provide consistent evidence that the presence of psychiatrists in a region is associated with lesser suicide rates. However, many psychiatric patients including suicidal patients do not have access to psychiatrists. This indicates that mental health and non-mental health social workers need to be involved in suicide prevention efforts. This paper is the first comprehensive work that discusses how to increase the role of social workers in the area of suicide prevention.Methods:A review of the relevant literature.Results:Increasing the role of social workers in suicide prevention efforts may reduce suicide risk in groups and people at elevated risk for suicide, as well as the general population.Conclusion:Recommendations are provided for how the social work profession can improve upon suicide prevention while incorporating universal, selective and indicated suicide preventive interventions. Social work research efforts should focus on how to increase the role of social workers in suicide prevention and the management of suicidal patients. Social work education programmes should modify their curricula and increase their attention on suicide prevention. Mental health social workers need to educate the patient and their family on suicide risk factors. Furthermore, mental health and non-mental health social workers need to educate the general public on suicide risk factors.


2016 ◽  
Vol 40 (5) ◽  
pp. 584 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane M. Burns ◽  
Emma Birrell ◽  
Marie Bismark ◽  
Jane Pirkis ◽  
Tracey A. Davenport ◽  
...  

This paper describes the extent and nature of Internet use by young people, with specific reference to psychological distress and help-seeking behaviour. It draws on data from an Australian cross-sectional study of 1400 young people aged 16 to 25 years. Nearly all of these young people used the Internet, both as a source of trusted information and as a means of connecting with their peers and discussing problems. A new model of e-mental health care is introduced that is directly informed by these findings. The model creates a system of mental health service delivery spanning the spectrum from general health and wellbeing (including mental health) promotion and prevention to recovery. It is designed to promote health and wellbeing and to complement face-to-face services to enhance clinical care. The model has the potential to improve reach and access to quality mental health care for young people, so that they can receive the right care, at the right time, in the right way. What is known about the topic? One in four young Australians experience mental health disorders, and these often emerge in adolescence and young adulthood. Young people are also prominent users of technology and the Internet. Effective mental health reform must recognise the opportunities that technology affords and leverage this medium to provide services to improve outcomes for young people. What does this paper add? Information regarding the nature of young people’s Internet use is deficient. This paper presents the findings of a national survey of 1400 young Australians to support the case for the role of technology in Australian mental health reform. What are the implications for practitioners? The Internet provides a way to engage young people and provide access to mental health services and resources to reduce traditional barriers to help-seeking and care. eMental health reform can be improved by greater attention toward the role of technology and its benefits for mental health outcomes.


2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (7) ◽  
pp. 414-418
Author(s):  
Darren Savarimuthu

Positive behaviour support (PBS) has become the preferred intervention in the management of challenging behaviour in learning disability and mental health services. However, there is an absence of literature on nurses' views and experience of PBS. Nurses are passive in PBS plan development while other professionals, such as clinical psychologists, often take the lead. While nurses see clinical psychologists as experts in PBS, they feel this could create a barrier that hinders its full potential and a more multidisciplinary approach would be beneficial. Nurses could take a pivotal role in delivering PBS plans if they were able to take a leading role, and this would benefit service users as nurses work far more closely with them than other professionals.


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