Social Workers’ Role in the Canadian Mental Health Care System

Abstract

Objective: Using Canadian survey data this research provides social workers in Canada with a better understanding of their role in the Canadian mental health care system. Methods: By analyzing data from the Canadian Community Health Survey, Cycle 1.2 Mental Health and Well-being, the role of social workers in the Canadian mental health system was determined. Results: Findings indicated that social workers were accessed third most frequently for mental health care. While a variety of individuals accessed care from social workers, those of different sexes, ages, education, and income levels did so at significantly different rates. Conclusion: Social workers should adjust services to include those less likely to access care who may benefit from it, while maintaining services for current clients.

Reducing the Mental Health–Related Stigma of Social Work Students

“…Social work students are an especially relevant target group for mental health antistigma campaigns. Social workers incorporate the social component in the care of people with mental illness by guaranteeing continuity of care and providing access to the necessary resources to achieve social integration and reinsertion in the community (Towns & Schwartz, 2011). Thus, it is essential that social workers have a positive attitude toward people with mental illness.…”

Thinking Big, Supporting Families and Enabling Coping: The Value of Social Work in Patient and Family Centered Health Care

“…Social workers have been integral to the delivery of psychosocial interventions for physical and mental health concerns, such as trauma, transplantation, cancer treatment, and psychiatric challenges within health care settings (Fikretoglu, Brunet, Guay, & Pedlar, 2007;Globerman & Bogo, 2002). A recent Canadian Community Health Survey found that after general practitioners and psychiatrists, social workers provided the highest amounts of mental health care across all community and health settings (Towns & Schwartz, 2012). There is increasing evidence that individuals accessing social work services within hospital settings tend to be more vulnerable (Craig, Bejan, & Muskat, 2013) than those using community social services (Towns & Schwartz, 2012) or those not using any health social work services (Gadalla, 2007).…”

“…A recent Canadian Community Health Survey found that after general practitioners and psychiatrists, social workers provided the highest amounts of mental health care across all community and health settings (Towns & Schwartz, 2012). There is increasing evidence that individuals accessing social work services within hospital settings tend to be more vulnerable (Craig, Bejan, & Muskat, 2013) than those using community social services (Towns & Schwartz, 2012) or those not using any health social work services (Gadalla, 2007). McGuire, Bikson, and Blue-Howells (2005) found that patients requesting a hospital social worker had almost twice as many reported problems (n = 7) compared to those who did not request such contact (n = 4).…”

Social work with older adults

“…Gerontological social workers are able to integrate the inherent complexities of an older person by using a generalist practice framework that acknowledges the macro and micro influences, psychological and social events, community diversity, and the policies and inequities that influence their life (Richardson, 2009). Towns and Schwartz (2012) found social workers are ideally suited to work in health care because of their training in macro and micro levels, including advocacy in mental health reform, and community-based practice.…”