SOWK 497

Students will develop an understanding of mental health issues in Canada across the lifespan and the legal and policy framework in which mental health services are provided. Contributing factors in the experience of mental illness arising from systemic forms of oppression and factors affected by social class, ability, age, gender, race, and sexual orientation will be considered. Issues related to stigma, poverty, and housing will be explored. Approaches to social work assessment including risk of suicide and self-harm will be included as well as consideration of classification and diagnosis of mental health problems and psychiatric medications. Students will learn about evidence-based social work practice and approaches to assisting individuals and families experiencing mental health problems. Challenges and opportunities related to working in multidisciplinary teams will be discussed. Students will learn of a Recovery Model approach to mental health and the importance of hope and the belief that people can and do recover from severe mental illness. -- Prerequisite -- Admission into the Bachelor of Social Work program, PSYC 101, and either PSYC 250 or SOWK 225. (Students in other degree programs, with a minimum of 45 credits, may be able to obtain instructor's permission at the first class. However, they should check with their program head to see whether they can apply this course to their degree). -- Corequisite -- None. -- Pre or Corequisite -- None.