OCIAL WORK IN MENTAL HEALTH: THE SOUTH AFRICAN CONTEXT.

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INTRODUCTION

So often, the public and professionals will make statements and diagnoses, both formally and informally, regarding the mental health of another individual. The question may arise of what the basis for, or system of such a diagnosis would be? Are social work professionals guilty of diagnosing by assessing without using valid criteria? Is there any value in utilizing one internal assessment and diagnostic system, or will each clinician use a system most applicable to their practice? These are all questions raised by the researcher in a search for answers.

PROBLEM FORMULATION

What is it about the topic that the researcher wants to find out? What is the area of interest for the study? Fouché and De Vos (2011:80) state that these questions will guide a researcher in formulating a problem, since formulating the problem will not only focus the research, but also support a researcher in finalizing a research proposal.

Are social workers qualified to do mental health diagnosis?

As from the 1990s, the issue of, “who is qualified to do mental diagnosis?” has been an on-going point of debate. In the USA, non-physicians can do a diagnosis, although some states require by law that only a physician or a psychologist can conduct a diagnosis (Munson, 2002:79). According to Strong (2007), very little South African research and few guidelines exist to who should be allowed to do mental health diagnosis. No legislation speaks of the use of the DSM system, or any other mental health assessment system by social workers in South Africa (Sewpaul, 2007). However, social workers are using the DSM system in their practice.

Are social workers working as mental health practitioners?

Where does social work link with the field of mental health? To what extent do social workers intervene with mental health? Mental and behavioural health problems can be viewed as an overlapping cluster of problems. In the South African context, daily interactions take place between health related problems (e.g. heart diseases, depression and stress related conditions), social problems (e.g. child abuse, substance abuse and violence) and socio-economic problems (e.g. high unemployment, limited education and poverty). Baumann (1998:5) and Wilson, Lymbery, Ruch and Cooper (2008:575) suggest a comprehensive primary health care approach to the delivery of health care services that consists of three contexts, namely the physical context, the psychological context and the social and economic context that will dictate the presenting symptoms of an individual. It is therefore clear that there is a link between mental health and social work.

CHAPTER1 INTRODUCTION TO STUDY
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Problem formulation
1.2.1 Are social workers qualified to do mental health diagnosis?
1.2.2 Are social workers working as mental health practitioners?
1.2.3 What is the scope of practice for mental health social workers?
1.3 Purpose, goal and objectives of the study
1.3.1 Goal
1.3.2 Objectives
1.4 Research hypothesis for the study
1.5 Ethical aspects
1.5.1 Avoidance of harm
1.5.2 Informed consent
1.5.3 Cooperation with contributors
1.5.4 Deception of respondents
1.5.5 Actions and competence of the researcher
1.5.6 Release or publication of the findings
1.5.7 Privacy, confidentiality and anonymity
1.6 Definition of main concepts
1.6.1 Mental health practitioner
1.6.2 DSM
1.6.3 Training
1.6.4 Training programme
1.6.5 Clinical social worker
1.7 Limitations of the study
1.8 Framework of the research report
1.9 Summary
CHAPTER 2 SOCIAL WORK IN MENTAL HEALTH: THE SOUTH AFRICAN CONTEXT.
2.1 Introduction
2.2 The role of social work in mental health
2.2.1 Clinical social work
2.2.2 Role according to mental health sector
2.3 the mental health team
2.3.1 Role of the mental health team
2.3.2 Mental health team members
2.3.2.1 The psychiatrist
2.3.2.2 The general practitioner
2.3.2.3 The occupational therapist
2.3.2.4 The psychiatric nurse
2.3.2.5 The psychologist
2.3.2.6 The social worker
2.3.2.7 Conclusions on the mental health team
2.4 Social work qualifications in mental health
2.4.1 Graduate social work qualification
2.4.2 Post-graduate social work qualifications
2.4.3 Mental Health Social Work Qualification
2.5 Social work methods and approaches in mental health
2.5.1 Direct social work as a method of intervention on micro level
2.5.2 Social work approaches in mental health
2.5.2.1 The psychosocial approach
2.5.2.2 The cognitive behavioural approach
2.5.2.3 Family systems approach
2.6 Summary
CHAPTER 3 THE DSM-IV SYSTEM
3.1 Introduction
3.2 the DSM system and the icd system
3.3 Terminology in the DSM system
3.3.1 Mental health
3.3.2 Mental illness
3.3.3 Mental disorder
3.3.4 Psychosis
3.3.4.1 Abnormal behaviour
3.3.4.2 Thought form abnormalities
3.3.4.3 Thought content abnormalities
3.3.4.4 Hallucinations
3.3.4.5 Affect (emotions)
3.4 History of the DSM-IV
3.5 DSM-IV Multi-Axial EVALUATION
3.5.1 Axis I: Mental disorders
3.5.2 Axis II: Personality disorders and mental retardation
3.5.3 Axis III: Physical conditions and disorders
3.5.4 Axis IV: Psychosocial and environmental problems
3.5.5 Axis V: Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF)
3.6 DSM LIMITATIONS AND ADVANTAGES
3.6.1 Limitations of the DSM-IV
3.6.2 Advantages of the DSM-IV
3.6.3 Labelling and categorizing
3.7 Summary
CHAPTER 4 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Research goal and objectives
4.2.1 Goal
4.2.2 Objectives
4.3 Research approach
4.4 Type of research
4.5 Research design and methodology
4.5.1 Phase 1: Problem analysis and project planning
4.5.1.1 Identifying and involving individuals
4.5.1.2 Gaining entry and cooperation from settings
4.5.1.3 Identifying concerns of the population
4.5.1.4 Analysing identified problems
4.5.1.5 Setting goals and objectives
4.5.2 Phase 2: Information gathering and synthesis
4.5.2.1 Using existing information sources
4.5.2.2 Studying natural examples
4.5.2.3 Identifying functional elements of successful models
4.5.3 Phase 3: Design
4.5.3.1 Designing an observational system
4.5.3.2 Specifying procedural elements of the intervention
4.5.4 Phase 4: Early development and pilot testing
4.5.5 Evaluation and advanced development and dissemination
4.6 Description of the research population and sampling method
4.6.1 Research population
4.6.2 Sample Method
4.7 Summary
CHAPTER 5 EMPIRICAL STUDY, DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Pre-test Questionnaire – Section A: Learning expectations and biographic details
5.2.1 Qualitative data on the respondents’ learning expectations
5.2.2 Quantitative data on the biographical details
5.3 Pre-test versus Post-test Questionnaire – Section B: DSM System
5.4 Post-test Questionnaire – SECTION A: Summarized view on the DSM training
5.4.1 Quantitative data on respondents’ views on the DSM training
5.4.2 Qualitative data from the respondents’ views on the DSM training
5.4.2.1 Reasons why the DSM training will assist social workers in conducting
more professional assessments
5.4.2.2 Reason’s why the course would assist them in their profession as social workers
5.4.2.3 Recommendations with regard to the course content
5.3 Summary
CHAPTER 6 SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
6.1 Introduction
6.2 CHAPTER 1: Introduction to study
6.2.1 Summary
6.2.2 Conclusions
6.2.3 Recommendations
6.3 CHAPTER 2: Social Work in Mental Health
6.3.1 Summary
6.3.2 Conclusions
6.3.3 Recommendations
6.4 CHAPTER 3: DSM System
6.4.1 Summary
6.4.2 Conclusions
6.4.3 Recommendations
6.5 CHAPTER 4: Research Methodology
6.5.1 Summary
6.5.2 Conclusions
6.5.3 Recommendations
6.6 CHAPTER 5: Empirical study, data analysis and interpretation
6.6.1 Summary
6.6.2 Conclusions
6.6.3 Recommendations
6.7 Evaluation of goal and objectives of study
6.7.1 Goal
6.7.2 Objectives
6.7.2.1 Objective 1
6.7.2.2 Objective 2
6.7.2.3 Objective 3
6.7.2.4 Objective 4
6.7.2.5 Objective 5
6.8 Testing research questions and hypothesis
6.8.1 Research questions
6.8.2 Research hypothesis
6.9 Closure
LIST OF REFERENCES