SW 615 - Social Work in Behavioral Health

As defined by SAMHSA (2011), behavioral health is a “state of mental/emotional being and/or choices andactions that affect wellness.” However, more specifically related to this course, behavioral health is a termwhich addresses issues in mental health, substance use, and addictions. The concept of behavioral healthencompasses a continuum of prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery support services. As the largestgroup of providers of mental health services, social workers comprise 60% or more of the mental healthworkforce (National Association of Social Workers, 2000). Social Work in Behavioral Health will provide thehistorical and political context of behavioral health and mental health care. The impact of substance use,gambling and eating disorders on individuals, families and communities will be explored. Lifespan issues thatinform work with older adults and families and hospice policies and practices will be introduced. Students willidentify the local, state, national and global policies that impact service participants and practice advocating forpolicy changes to promote improvements of the well-being of individuals, families, organizations andcommunities. The multidisciplinary nature of behavioral health practices will emphasize the need for socialworkers to develop collegial skills and practice effective ethical teamwork with psychiatrists, substance useprofessionals, nurses and physicians to name a few. The medical model, especially as it relates to diagnosingmental disorders and substance use, will be juxtaposed with the strengthsperspective as students develop their conceptual framework for professional social work practice. This courseassesses Social Work EPAS competencies 3, 5, 7, 8.
Credits: 3