What is a Mental Health Social Worker?

Mental Health Social Workers are dedicated to the pursuit of social justice and strive to help those affected by mental illness, drug and alcohol, poverty, disabilities, unemployment, housing issues and other personal problems and social disadvantages. A Mental Health Social Worker assesses and treats people who have mental health disorders that include:

They help to improve their patient’s life by resolving current psychological issues and the associated social problems that result from them. A Mental Health Social Worker understands the wider implications of their patient having a mental illness and how it impacts on their work, family, friends and lifestyle. Mental Health Social Workers possess a high degree of compassion and empathy for helping their patients, strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills, and good listening and organizational skills. They have extensive knowledge of human behaviour and development, as well as social, cultural, and economic institutions and the ways in which they interact. Metal Health Social Workers diagnose treat mental health conditions as well. They provide individual, family, and couples therapy, and they assist with depression, anxiety, drug and alcohol, family problems, and other mental health or behavioural issues. Mental Health Social Workers create treatment plans, and facilitate interventions when necessary. Mental Health Social Workers are highly trained professionals working to improve the quality of life and wellbeing of patients through direct practice, crisis intervention, advocacy, community organizing and psycho-education.