Reference no: EM132697382

Getting Started

Mental disorders affect millions of children, adolescents, men, women, and older adults. Research from the National Institute of Mental Health shows that mental disorders are common throughout the United States, affecting tens of millions of people each year, and that, overall, only about half of those affected receive treatment.

These mental disorders include:

• Anxiety disorders
• Bipolar disorders
• Depression
• Eating disorders
• Obsessive compulsive disorder
• Schizophrenia
• Social phobia

Many individuals receiving care for mental health conditions also have physical ailments that require medical attention. Currently, though, our physical and behavioral health care systems tend to operate independently, without coordination between them, and gaps in care, inappropriate care, and increased costs can result.

Advocacy as a social worker is an important means of raising awareness on integrating physical and mental health care and ensuring that these issues are on the national agenda of our government. Advocacy can lead to improvements in policy, legislation, and service development.

Upon successful completion of this assignment, you will be able to:

Question 1: Assess how social welfare and economic policies impact the delivery of and access to social services.

Question 2: Demonstrate character, scholarship, and leadership in becoming a world changer through application to personal life and professional social work practice.

Question 3: Demonstrate Christ-like attitudes, values, worldviews, and ethical and professional behavior within advanced clinical practice.