1. Behavioral Health Sciences:
Include the treatment of mental health, alcohol, and drug related problems. 37% of licensed social workers in the U.S. primarily work in mental health practice, and social workers are the largest provider of mental health services in the United States overall. Social Workers are significantly needed in this field as nearly half of Americans (46%) experience some form of mental illness (DiNitto & McNeece, 2008, p. 145).
2. A Serious Mental Illness (SMI):
Includes experiencing schizophrenia bipolar disorder, and some forms of depression because they are long-term, or chronic, and have no known cure. Mental disorders are considered temporary or acute, and can include feelings of depression related to personal loss (DiNitto & McNeece, 2008, p. 146).
3. Comorbidity
Or dual diagnosis occurs when a patient experiences both a mental disorder and substance use disorder concurrently (DiNitto & McNeece, 2008, p. 148).
4. “Moral Treatment”
Is an approach to care invented by Philippe Pinel to include kindness and consideration to encourage clients to discuss their personal problems and lead active lives. Dorothea Dix was also a great social reformer who attempted to remove mental illness stigma as criminals or social outcasts, but rather to provide treatment for them in a controlled environment (DiNitto & McNeece, 2008, p. 148).
5. Mental Health Centers Act of 1963
Emphasized an increase in community care including community mental health centers supported by state and local government. (DiNitto & McNeece, 2008, p. 150)
6. Psychiatric or psychosocial rehabilitation:
Resulted from the community reform movement of 1975 in which social workers advocated for people with mental illness to be inclusive in leading productive lives through collective treatment and services to meet all of their needs. (DiNitto & McNeece, 2008, p. 150)
7. SAMHSA
Stands for the Substance Abuse and mental Health Services Administration which was enacted in 1992 by the U.S. Department of Health to provide substance and mental health services. It includes three centers: The Center for Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse Prevention and Substance Abuse Treatment (DiNitto & McNeece, 2008, p.151).
8. Care Management
Is a “system in which a single accountable individual ensures to the extent possible that a client has access to and receives all resources and services that can help maintain his or her optimal functioning”(DiNitto & McNeece, 2008, p.158).
9. The Campbell Collaboration and the Cochrane Collaboration:
Provide reviews on treatment effectiveness for social workers to consider in their interventions in working with clients with mental illness. (DiNitto & McNeece, 2008, p. 159)
10. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990:
“Protects individuals with a physical or mental impairment from discrimination in employment, public accommodations, transportation, telecommunications, and state and local government services” (DiNitto & McNeece, 2008, p. 166).
DiNitto, D., & McNeece, Carl Aaron. (2008). Social work : Issues and opportunities in a challenging profession (3rd ed.). Chicago, Ill.: Lyceum Books.
SW 250 at Binghamton University 