Social Welfare - Mental Health & Psychopatholgy

Catalog description

This course emphasizes mental health diagnoses commonly encountered in social work practice. The relationship between social work assessment and the diagnostic process will be covered in detail. Information will be presented from the perspective of social work as a professional discipline, emphasizing the continuing and complex interactions between the person and environment (biological, psychological, social, spiritual, and ecological) and multiple influences on mental health, including the incorporation of social justice, critical perspectives, and other social work values/ethics. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR) is used as an organizing framework for this course; however, alternative taxonomies, as well the adequacy and appropriateness of the DSM-5-TR in social work practice will be addressed throughout the course. Influential considerations such as social work's ethical directives, the impact of poverty, race, class, heteronormativity, stress, social support, and forms of bias will be highlighted in the course. Full time clinical specialization students should take this course no later than fall of their specialized year. Part-time clinical specialization and all macro specialization students are encouraged to consult with their academic advisors for enrollment guidance. Prerequisite: Admission to MSW Advanced Standing plan of study or completion of social welfare generalist courses.