Social Work and The Mental Health Team

Abstract

Objective: The contributions of social work to the interdisciplinary team are described, along with opportunities for, and barriers to, effective teamwork. Conclusions: Social work is concerned with the social context and consequences of mental illness on the individual, family and community. Social work serves to connect the treatment team to the broader issues of family welfare, housing, income security, and community and sense of belonging. This broader focus and the social justice framework for social work can create tension between social work and other disciplines. Both undergraduate and postgraduate education for social workers remain a challenge, given the complexity and demands of the mental health workplace.