It is hard to define mental illness because within our society it is viewed in many different ways. Currently, there are several definitions: mental illness as the absence of mental health, as sickness, as difficulty in social adaptation, or as unpleasant or abnormal behavior that others would label as insanity (Leighninger & Popple, 2011). The most common definition viewed by society is mental illness as a disease. However you define it, mental illness is a common health problem affecting millions of people in all age groups. There are also various theories on the causes of mental illness such as: the psychological approach, the psychological-development approach, the behavioral approach, and the environmental-sociological approach. In 2014,
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Social workers are the largest provider of mental health services in the United States, even more than psychiatrists and psychologists. Social workers in the mental health field provide many kinds of services. Social workers can provide services in private practice settings, but the majority of services are offered in community-based agencies. A major part of social workers jobs in mental hospitals is discharge planning. Discharge planning is helping patients return to their communities by helping them with housing, supervision and companionship from their family and friends, and making connections with community mental health centers who are able to monitor the patients when they are discharged and help provided the necessary treatment (Ginsberg, 2001). Social workers also work in mental hospitals assisting patients who are accused of crimes and help with recommendations about their trials and their sentences if they are found guilty and convicted. It is also likely for a social worker to help in the development of government policies and legislation for mental health. Social workers might find job opportunities in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, family service agencies, prisons, nonprofit groups, and government agencies. Some might even go into private practice and provide services such as, psychotherapy and
Social workers are the largest provider of mental health services in the United States, even more than psychiatrists and psychologists. Social workers in the mental health field provide many kinds of services. Social workers can provide services in private practice settings, but the majority of services are offered in community-based agencies. A major part of social workers jobs in mental hospitals is discharge planning. Discharge planning is helping patients return to their communities by helping them with housing, supervision and companionship from their family and friends, and making connections with community mental health centers who are able to monitor the patients when they are discharged and help provided the necessary treatment (Ginsberg, 2001). Social workers also work in mental hospitals assisting patients who are accused of crimes and help with recommendations about their trials and their sentences if they are found guilty and convicted. It is also likely for a social worker to help in the development of government policies and legislation for mental health. Social workers might find job opportunities in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, family service agencies, prisons, nonprofit groups, and government agencies. Some might even go into private practice and provide services such as, psychotherapy and