Social Work Practice and Mental Health in Canada

20%

How many Canadians experience mental health challenges?

Suicide

What is the second leading cause of death for ages 15-34.

52%

How many post-secondary students report feeling “too depressed to function”?

69%

How many students report overwhelming anxiety.

Prevention, Treatment, and Rehabilitation

What are the three CASW roles in social work?

General

This type of social worker focuses on program development and policy implementation.

Clinical

This type of social worker works directly with individuals in mental health.

Social Work Ethics

This term refers to the six core values that guide social work practice (i.e. the CASW).

Recovery Model

This model focuses on individual recovery and participation.

Deficits Model

This model views individuals as having persistent or chronic conditions.

Personal Recovery and Cultural Context

.What are the two tenets of the recovery model?

Psychiatric Medications

Six groups target various mental health conditions.

Anti-Psychotics

Used for psychosis, schizophrenia, and mania.

Mood Stabilizers

Treats depression and bipolar disorder.

Anti-Depressants

Medications for depression and bipolar disorder.

Anxiolytics

Medications specifically for anxiety treatment.

Stimulants

Used to address sleep disorders.

Hypnotics

Medications that aid in sleep.

Medication Inquiry

Social workers assess necessity and effects of meds.

Self-Determination

Encourages clients to monitor and assess experiences.

Evidence Based Practice

Utilizes empirical research for effective interventions.

Government Branches

Includes executive, legislature, and judiciary.

Policy Areas

Health, education, and social program administration.

Institutionalization

Committing individuals to psychiatric hospitals for treatment.

Deinstitutionalization

Transferring care from institutions to community services.

Transinstitutionalization

Shifting individuals to jails due to inadequate resources.

Involuntary admission

Admission based on civil liberties and safety considerations.

Sources of involuntary admission

Physician, judge, family, police, or health professionals.

Individual recourse

Rights of individuals during involuntary admission processes.

Voluntary admission

Individuals can leave at any time if admitted voluntarily.

Express consent

Consent given through oral or written agreement.

Implied consent

Consent inferred from actions or inactions.

Elements of consent

Must be valid, informed, voluntary, and free of coercion.

Advance Directive

Legal document outlining treatment preferences when competent.

Ulysses Contract

Request for detainment while waiving appeal rights.

Duty to warn

Obligation to protect if client poses serious harm.

Breaking confidentiality

Occurs when risk to others is imminent and identifiable.

Social worker responsibilities

Assess danger, select action, and monitor responses.

Social work assessment

Includes presenting issues, history, supports, and treatment.

5 Ps of formulation

Predisposing, precipitating, perpetuating, protective factors, and plan.

Cultural Formulation Interview

Explores cultural definitions, causes, and help-seeking behaviors.

Mental Status Examination

Evaluates signs and symptoms of mental health issues.

Appearance

Physical look and grooming of the individual assessed.

Attitude

Individual's demeanor towards the assessment process.

Behavior

Actions and conduct observed during the evaluation.

Mood and affect

Emotional state and expression of feelings.

Speech Form and Content

Characteristics and substance of the individual's speech.

Thought content

What an individual is thinking about.

Perception

How an individual interprets sensory information.

Cognition

Mental processes involved in gaining knowledge.

Insight

Understanding of one's own mental state.

Judgment

Ability to make considered decisions.

Static factors

Demographic considerations like age and gender.

Modifiable risk factors

Factors like alcohol use and mental health.

Intent

Method or plan regarding suicidal actions.

Suicide

Death resulting from individual actions, intentional or not.

Acute suicide rush

Immediate and intense suicidal impulse.

Ongoing risk

Continual potential for suicidal behavior.

Intentional Self Harm

Injury lasting 5+ days in the past year.

Suicide Behavior Disorder

Behavior aimed at death within 24 months.

Anomie

Despair from lack of social connection.

Altruism

Association with a group that promotes suicide.

Contagion Effect

Suicide behavior can spread among individuals.

Self Harm spectrum

Range from moderate to severe self-injury.

Moderate self harm

Cutting or burning associated with trauma.

Major self harm

Severe acts like mutilation or castration.

MAID conditions

Criteria for Medical Assistance In Dying.

Crisis intervention

Immediate response to suicidal crisis situations.

Postvention

Support activities for suicide survivors.

Trauma Crisis Continuum

Stages from crisis to complex PTSD.

PTSD

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder lasting over one month.

Trauma Exposure

Factors influencing potential for PTSD development.

Peritraumatic Distress Response

Immediate panic-like state after trauma exposure.

Crisis Response

Psychological disequilibrium following a traumatic event.

Pre-crisis Equilibrium

State before a crisis disrupts normalcy.

Impact Stage

Initial occurrence of the crisis event.

Crisis Stage

Period of confusion and disorganization.

Resolution Stage

Regaining control after a crisis.

Post-crisis Stage

Achieving a new state of equilibrium.

Adjustment Disorder

Distress disproportionate to the stressor's severity.

Acute Stress

Symptoms appear 3 days to 1 month post-event.

Intrusion Symptoms

Nightmares and intrusive feelings related to trauma.

Avoidance Symptoms

Deliberate evasion of trauma reminders.

Arousal Symptoms

Difficulty sleeping or heightened alertness.

Dissociative Symptoms

Inability to feel positive emotions or interest.

Complex PTSD

Extended trauma symptoms plus emotional dysregulation.

Affective Dysregulation

Difficulty managing emotional responses.

Negative Self Concept

Poor self-image stemming from trauma.

Persistent Complex Bereavement

Intense sorrow lasting over 12 months.

Caplin's Crisis Theory

Disorganization followed by potential functional changes.

Social Drift

Movement down socioeconomic ladder among individuals.

Positive Psychotic Symptoms

Hallucinations, delusions, and thought disorders.

Negative Functioning Symptoms

Impairment in emotional range and motivation.

Negative Functioning

Impairment in emotional range, energy, and motivation.

Diagnosis Criteria

Positive symptoms for 1 month, negative for 6 months.

Social Drift

Movement down socioeconomic ladder to inner cities.

Risk Factors

Factors increasing likelihood of mental disorders.

Early Drug Use

Initial substance use during adolescence or childhood.

Genetics

Inherited traits influencing mental health conditions.

Neurotransmitters

Chemicals affecting mood and behavior, especially dopamine.