Mental Health and Mental Wellbeing

This course will analyse the particular contribution of social work to mental health, wellbeing and addiction interventions in the community. The course introduces key concepts in mental health and addiction for social workers and human service workers. Students will develop a sound knowledge of the main mental health problems experienced by individuals, historical perspectives on mental health, the nature of the mental health system, mental health policy, legal aspects of mental health, and the role of social workers and human service workers in this context. Students will also gain a broad understanding of addiction to licit and illicit substances and other addictive behaviours. The course specifically explores stigma and the social context of mental health and wellbeing, paying particular attention to the role of human service workers in bringing a social understanding of mental health and evidence-based approaches to their practice. Students will analyse the distinction between mental health and mental illness, mental health interventions including primary health care and recovery paradigm in mental health practice, lived experiences of clients, social work purpose, practice and roles in mental health, and practice in multidisciplinary contexts.