Policy Issues in Mental Health and Substance Use

Catalog description

Policy Issues in Mental Health and Substance Use course focuses on contemporary policy issues related to mental health and substance use including social determinants of mental health, treatment and access to care, rights and privacy, systems transformation, and disparities in care are examined in this course. The role of social workers in policy advocacy, the history and evolution of mental health and substance use policy, and recent policy proposals are discussed. Students will learn to analyze mental health and drug and alcohol policies and advocate for policies that advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice. The course also describes appropriate counseling strategies when working with clients with addiction and co-occurring disorders in a multicultural society.