It could be said that to enter adult social work in either a voluntary or statutory setting, the issue of mental health is impossible to avoid. Regardless of sector or client group, be it a disability, palliative or substance misuse, we will likely be faced with issues arising from poor mental health on a daily basis, as Huxley (2008) states “the mental illness client group knows no such boundaries”. Mental health, it could be described, is the causal nexus within our practice, as it is very often the root cause or the outcome of many situations and crises’ that bring an individual to the attention of social services. One in four adults is likely to have a mental health problem in any year. This can have a profound impact on the lives of tens
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Therefore, treatment from this perspective is first concerned with the diagnosis, based on the Diagnosis and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) (Weinstein 2014) and then ultimately with treatment, usually in the form of hospitalisation or medication. Despite very little evidence of a genetic or biological predisposition mental, this model still dominates the field of mental health treatment, as Beresford et al (2010) states “This medical model is seen as very powerful among professionals, in society generally and also among service users, shaping understanding and attitudes (2010:7). So not only does this model influence practice and treatment of mental health, but also the attitudes of wider society and the service user themselves. It can be easily understood why many suffering from mental distress would take comfort in this model, as firstly, it gives the individual an understanding of why they feel like they do, and, secondly, it promises a quick fix, hereby, a person believes they will be instantly cured by prescription drugs (Manktelow, 2002), I needs to be stated, however, that in more serious cases of mental distress, such as schizophrenia the use of antipsychotic drugs can indeed help to ease terrifying and debilitating symptoms. The major disadvantages of this model, from a social work perspective, is the …show more content…
However, research has shown that persons with schizophrenia whose families were characterised with hostility and criticism had much higher rates of relapse than those that were surrounded by a supportive understanding family (2000:213). It is also important to consider the effects the individual’s mental health may be having on family members as they too may need support (Walker & Beckett, 2003) as Manktelow states “The diagnoses of mental illness is likely to have repercussions for the whole family and member must be helped to accommodate these changed circumstances” (2008:265). This then highlights the importance of family involvement in the process of assessment and planning and is as such highlighted in the Common Assessment Framework for Adults (2009), it states “It is particularly important that each assessment goes beyond identifying a person’s specific needs. It must also identify the impact of a person’s needs on other people, including the effect of failing to meet those needs. The right intervention or support will take account of the wider needs of the family and carers.” (2006:11), this can be achieved by providing the family with help, advice and support to develop coping strategies in the following important areas: managing medication; maintaining personal hygiene; dealing with aggressive behaviour; coping with delusions, and responding to
Therefore, treatment from this perspective is first concerned with the diagnosis, based on the Diagnosis and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) (Weinstein 2014) and then ultimately with treatment, usually in the form of hospitalisation or medication. Despite very little evidence of a genetic or biological predisposition mental, this model still dominates the field of mental health treatment, as Beresford et al (2010) states “This medical model is seen as very powerful among professionals, in society generally and also among service users, shaping understanding and attitudes (2010:7). So not only does this model influence practice and treatment of mental health, but also the attitudes of wider society and the service user themselves. It can be easily understood why many suffering from mental distress would take comfort in this model, as firstly, it gives the individual an understanding of why they feel like they do, and, secondly, it promises a quick fix, hereby, a person believes they will be instantly cured by prescription drugs (Manktelow, 2002), I needs to be stated, however, that in more serious cases of mental distress, such as schizophrenia the use of antipsychotic drugs can indeed help to ease terrifying and debilitating symptoms. The major disadvantages of this model, from a social work perspective, is the …show more content…
However, research has shown that persons with schizophrenia whose families were characterised with hostility and criticism had much higher rates of relapse than those that were surrounded by a supportive understanding family (2000:213). It is also important to consider the effects the individual’s mental health may be having on family members as they too may need support (Walker & Beckett, 2003) as Manktelow states “The diagnoses of mental illness is likely to have repercussions for the whole family and member must be helped to accommodate these changed circumstances” (2008:265). This then highlights the importance of family involvement in the process of assessment and planning and is as such highlighted in the Common Assessment Framework for Adults (2009), it states “It is particularly important that each assessment goes beyond identifying a person’s specific needs. It must also identify the impact of a person’s needs on other people, including the effect of failing to meet those needs. The right intervention or support will take account of the wider needs of the family and carers.” (2006:11), this can be achieved by providing the family with help, advice and support to develop coping strategies in the following important areas: managing medication; maintaining personal hygiene; dealing with aggressive behaviour; coping with delusions, and responding to