Introduction To Social Work

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INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL WORK ‘’In all cultures and in all times, the perception of madness, possession or mental disorder has created a conflict between fear and compassion’’ (Porter, R. 1993). This conflict is still in existence today and throughout this essay I aim to highlight the socio-political factors which have helped cause this, and show how these factors have been an intrinsic part of shaping the mental health service into what it is today. I aim to demonstrate the important role of the social worker within the mental health service, both past and present. People have long debated the issue of detention and punishment versus treatment and medicalization- you could argue that this is a debate about social themes versus medical themes, a debate which still rumbles on today. This has (in part) led to the formation in 2008 of the Approved Mental Health Professional (A.M.H.P). This new role acknowledged the need and benefits of both social workers and other professionals (such as psychiatric nurses) into the position, and saw all existing approved social workers become A.M.H.P’s overnight and new A.M.H.P training put in place. The aim of the A.M.H.P is to maintain a strong, independent, mental health ethos and to counterbalance the more medicalised view held by the medical profession. Amongst other things, the A.M.H.P is expected to have a comprehensive knowledge of social care, and be able to bring a more service user led mental health model to the fore (Golightly, M.2008). People with mental health problems often find themselves subject to oppression and discrimination, however the Department of Health states within the Mental Health Act code of practice that all people should be respected for their: ‘’… diverse backgrounds as individuals and be assured that account will be taken of their age, gender, sexual orientation, social, ethnic, cultural and

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