Mental Health and well Being:The Role of Social Worker

A role for social workers in mental health was established early in India's history of service delivery in this field. Primary mental health care was institutionally based for the first half of the century, with a period of de-institutionalization beginning in the late sixties preceding the current emphasis on community-based care. Throughout these changes, the role of social work has developed from one of providing social histories and supervising community placements to that of interdisciplinary team member/independent practitioner. The field of mental health provides a unique opportunity for social workers to practice collaboratively with allied professionals and at the same time maintain the integrity of their knowledge and skill base. This paper will define health and mental health; describe the current roles of social workers within the spectrum of mental health services; identify the necessary education and knowledge base; and consider future directions.