Chapter 1 Introduction

What’s in the name?

Welcome to PSYC 1005, Mental Health Continuum. This textbook is modified from an Open Education Text authored by (Jordan A. Cummings).  The original name of the textbook was Abnormal Psychology but for the Loyalist SSW program, the text has been renamed The Metal Health Continuum and Community Practice.

Pause for a moment and consider why an SSW program would not wish to use the phrase abnormal psychology. Abnormal psychology is a clinical term to describe behavior that falls outside the norm. It is certainly a useful concept when thinking scientifically and trying to categorize symptoms and behavior in order to develop treatment responses. That said the SSW field is very attuned to language and the word abnormal could be seen as stigmatizing. By shifting the focus to understanding the continuum of mental health this course hopes to focus on the strengths and needs of the individual as opposed to a clinical label/diagnosis.

What will you learn?

It is important for SSWS to understand the methods of mental health assessment, the prevalent features of diagnostic categories, and treatment approaches relating to diagnosis. This course provides an overview of the classification system used by clinicians, the DSM 5. We will also review the core biological psychological societal and cultural factors that are associated with mental health disorders. Most importantly, as future SSWS, we will examine the impact of stigma and trauma as it relates to the continuum of mental health.

Abnormal psychology refers to the scientific study of people who are exhibiting behaviour that seems atypical or unusual, with the intent to be able to reliably predict, explain, diagnose, identify the causes of, and treat maladaptive behavior. Abnormal psychology is one of the largest sub-fields in psychology, representing a great deal of research and applied work trying to understand and cure mental disorders. As you will see from the first part of this chapter, and as you learn more in this book, the costs of mental illness are substantial.

This chapter will introduce you broadly to important concepts, definitions, and terminology in abnormal psychology that will frame the rest of your learning. It reviews how to define mental disorder as well as the strengths and limitations of our current diagnostic approaches. You’ll read, as well, about how culture and cultural expectations influence our views on abnormality. We cannot examine abnormality without taking cultural norms into account.

In this chapter you will also learn about how mental health professionals assess individuals who might be experiencing a mental disorder, some important concepts for measurement like validity and reliability, and read an overview of some of the many different tools these professionals use to conduct their assessments. Last, you’ll learn how these professionals diagnose and classify abnormal behaviour.

Limitations of course scope

This course will not prepare you to diagnose mental illness in yourself or others. This is a college course aimed at introducing core concepts that are needed to interact with persons on the mental health continuum. Similarly, this course does not prepare you for clinical treatment. Once you are employed as an SSW, your employer may train you on specific treatment approaches and/or you may pursue additional certifications and training that qualify you to deliver various forms of treatment.

If you are interested in clinical roles in mental health, there are pathways to follow. You can pursue a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) towards an Masters of Social Work (MSW). At the MSW level the Social Worker can engage with clients in the mode of therapy they have been trained on. An MSW can be approved to provide psychotherapy. You can complete a Psychology degree (or related) to a Masters in Psychology (or even PhD). A Masters level psychology degree unlocks many clinical roles. A person with Doctorate in psychology (PhD) is a Psychologist. They can diagnose but not prescribe medication. Lastly, you can complete Medical School with a specialization in Psychiatry. A Psychiatrist can diagnose and prescribe medication.

A note on “Diagnosis”

  • Social Work Diagnosis relates to identifying psychosocial concerns
  • Mental Health Diagnoses are made by Doctors and Clinicians.

 

Social Service Work and Mental Health Practice

Scope of Practice reminder in accordance with the OCSWSSW code of practice.

https://www.ocswssw.org/registrants/professional-practice/scopes-of-practice-paper/

 1) What the profession does:
Social work: the scope of practice statement for social work includes the activity of social work diagnosis 
Social Service Work: the scope of practice statement for social service work does not included diagnosis.
 2) The methods the profession uses:
Social Work uses social work knowledge, skills, intervention and strategies
Social Service Work uses social work knowledge, skills, intervention and strategies.
 3) The purpose for which the profession does an activity:
Social work includes as a purpose for social work activity, the achievement of optimum psychosocial functioning
Social Service Work does not include this purpose, social functioning is used.  (OCSWSSW, 2008)

What are the risks of working outside of our scope?

Social Service workers are holistically focused. A diagnosis may be important, but the focus is on overall wellness and quality of life.
SSWs are well positioned to address mental health in a broad social context focused on the optimal functioning of individuals.
SSWs are mandated advocate for change and community resources when identifying barriers that undermine mental health (Regher and Glancy, 2014,p.1). In practice, SSWs are engaged in the following activities;
1.Prevention – reducing the incidence of mental illness and dysfunction through modifying stressful environments and strengthening individual, family and community coping.
2.Treatment – reducing the impact of mental illness through early assessment, intervention and treatment.
3.Rehabilitation – reducing the lingering effects of mental illness through the provision of retraining and rehabilitation (Regher and Glancy, 2014,p.4).

 

 

SSW roles and Mental Health.

•Case Management, which includes, case planning, referrals supportive counselling (not therapeutic counselling), motivational interviewing.
•Brief Service which includes intake and referrals.
•Drop-in services which include homelessness support, food and basic needs supports.
•Income and housing supports which include assessing eligibility.
•Psycho-education which includes structured group work and the provision of information.
Activity – Look for and list agencies that offer one or more of these services.  

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