Clear, comprehensive, and accessible, this textbook presents an overview of the contemporary American mental health system and its impact on clients and social workers. The failure of the system to provide quality care for the mentally ill is
explored, including issues and policies that social workers face in accessing mental healthcare for their clients, while also discussing the ways in which social workers can improve the overall functioning of the system and promote the
development and expansion of policy and practice innovations.
This is the first textbook to examine the lack of understanding of the roots of mental illness, the challenges in classification of mental disorders for social workers, and difficult behavioral manifestations of mental illness. By looking at the flaws and disparities in the provision of mental health services, especially in relation to the criminal justice system and homelessness and mental illness, social work students will be able to apply policy and practice to improve mental healthcare in their everyday work. A focus on the lived experiences of the mentally ill and
their families, along with the experiences of social workers, adds a unique,
real-world perspective.