Policy Press

Mental Health Social Work Reimagined

By Ian Cummins

Published

Apr 17, 2019

Page count

200 pages

ISBN

978-1447335610

Dimensions

234 x 156 mm

Imprint

Policy Press

Published

Apr 17, 2019

Page count

200 pages

ISBN

978-1447335597

Dimensions

234 x 156 mm

Imprint

Policy Press

Published

Apr 17, 2019

Page count

200 pages

ISBN

978-1447335627

Dimensions

Imprint

Policy Press

Published

Apr 17, 2019

Page count

200 pages

ISBN

978-1447335634

Dimensions

Imprint

Policy Press
Mental Health Social Work Reimagined

Taking a critical and radical approach, this book calls for a return to mental health social work that has personal relationships and an emotional connection between workers and those experiencing distress at its core.

The optimism that underpinned the development of community care policies has dissipated to be replaced by a form of bleak managerialism. Neoliberalism has added stress to services already under great pressure and created a danger that we could revert to institutional forms of care.

This much-needed book argues that the original progressive values of community care policies need to be rediscovered, updated and reinvigorated to provide a basis for a mental health social work that returns to fundamental notions of dignity and citizenship.

“This timely book locates mental health social work within the wider political landscape, calling for a rejection of bureaucratic and risk-averse practices and a return to core values, focusing on the strengths of individuals and communities.” Dr Kate Karban, University of Bradford

“Tracing the origins of contemporary mental health services through to future opportunities for the profession, Cummins explores how a constructive way forward for social work in mental health services can be forged from a problematic past.” Martin Webber, University of York

“A rallying cry to reinvigorate mental health social work for contemporary times. Very useful reading for students and social workers alike.” Helen Spandler, University of Central Lancashire

Ian Cummins is a Senior Lecturer in Social Work at Salford University. He qualified as a probation officer and subsequently worked as a mental health social worker. His research interests including the history of community care and mental health issues in the CJS. His most recent work has focused on poverty, inequality and advanced marginality.

Introduction;

Madness and Society;

Deinstitutionalisation and the development of Community Care;

Citizenship and Mental Health;

Contemporary Mental Health Services;

Contemporary Mental Health Social Work;

Mental Health Social Work Reimagined.