Understanding Social Work Practice in Mental Health

This book provides an authoritative overview of mental health theory, policy, and practice. Exploring the complex moral and ethical dimensions underpinning the field, the book engages with the key issues encountered by practitioners working in the modern mental health system. Using real world scenarios, case studies, and reflective exercises, it asks students to critically examine the world of mental health practice from the perspective of users of mental health services and their careers.

Reflecting the core values, skills, and knowledge frameworks required for professional social work qualification in the mental health context, this book will enable students to:

• Understand mental health theory and practice as a contested arena
• Recognize professional differences and inter-professional strengths
• Tolerate uncertainty and complexity in practice.
• Develop critically as reflexive mental health practitioners

Included in the text are practice dilemmas, chapter summaries, and resources to aid further study.

This book is ideal for social work students undertaking qualifying and post-qualifying training.

Vicki Coppock is a Reader in Social Work and Mental Health at Edge Hill University, Ormskirk, Lancashire. She is also a qualified and experienced psychiatric social worker. She teaches in the areas of social work, mental health and childhood and youth studies. She has a research and publications record in the critical analysis of theory, policy, legislation and professional practice in the field of mental health, with a particular emphasis on asserting a positive rights agenda for children and young people in mental distress. She is co-author of Critical Perspectives on Mental Health (Routledge, 2000) with John Hopton.

Bob Dunn is a Senior Lecturer in Social Work Studies at Edge Hill University. Following work as a Local Authority Staff Development and Training Officer he has researched deaths in police, prison, and psychiatric custody and his current teaching covers youth justice, community care, mental health, childhood and youth studies.