Understanding mental health

A new book by two Edge Hill University academics is investigating the complex and controversial issues which link social work and mental health.

Vicki Coppock, Reader in Social Work & Mental Health, and Senior Lecturer Bob Dunn, from the Department of Social & Psychological Sciences, have collaborated on a new publication which examines the moral and ethical challenges of mental health care.

Understanding Social Work Practice in Mental Health is aimed at both students and health professionals. From care in the community to the tensions of implementing mental health law, the book addresses some of the most controversial areas of modern mental health care systems. 

It has already received a positive response from critics and has been described as giving ‘a closely argued case for retaining social work skills as a key part of a truly integrated mental health system'. The book recognises that there is both a medical model and a social model of mental health and discusses the relationship between the two.

Vicki and Bob have learned from research and experience that there is no single reason why people develop such problems.

Bob said: "It is likely to be a combination of factors that life throws at a person that contributes to their mental distress. Consequently, this suggests that there cannot be a single treatment which will solve such problems.  However, some professionals persist in failing to recognise these complexities, sticking rigidly to a narrow medical model."

Vicki added: "There is a conflict between the disciplines of social work and medicine - nurses in the mental health field and social workers view things differently. Nurses and doctors tend to be more comfortable with a medical diagnosis, while social workers establish an holistic approach. We address this in the book, looking specifically at what works in promoting recovery.

"We have tried to address the importance of interdisciplinary working, and also to ask readers to critically examine practice from the perspective of users of mental health services and their carers."

The book encourages its readers to stop and examine their own thoughts, knowledge and opinions, through reflection exercises.

Bob said: "Edge Hill University has always had a critical analytical approach - it looks at things differently - and that's what we want to encourage in our social work students.  We believe this is the first social work textbook produced by Edge Hill.  It aims to be useful to all levels - from a student just starting out, to those on Masters Courses - as well as to health professionals."

Understanding Social Work Practice in Mental Health is available now from www.sagepub.co.uk.