Social Understandings of Mental Distress
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| SOCW3006 | Social Work | 3 | 20 | Autumn UK |
- Code
- SOCW3006
- School
- Social Work
- Level
- 3
- Credits
- 20
- Semesters
- Autumn UK
Summary
Social work practice involves interactions with people of all ages experiencing mental distress. This module will challenge the dominant medical model of mental health which is prevalent in UK service provision. It will consider alternative social approaches to mental distress with a focus on the Power Threat Meaning Framework. The module will incorporate the perspectives of experts by experience and their lived experience of mental distress. The social work role in supporting people with mental distress will be explored, with an emphasis on power dynamics. It will consider how we can promote good mental wellbeing for ourselves and others in the face of stress and adversity.
The overall pass mark for the module is 40% and all module elements are non-compensatable (i.e., students must pass each assessment at 40%).
Target Students
Only available for Year 3 BA Social Work students.
Classes
This module is taught through a combination of lectures and seminars.
Assessment
- 50% Coursework: 2,000 words.
- 50% Individual Presentation: 15 minutes.
Assessed by end of autumn semester
Educational Aims
The module aims to:Introduce students to theories, models and approaches which develop a social understanding of mental distress.Enable students to think critically about the medical model of mental health and its influence on legislation, service organisation, assessment and interventions.Identify potential interventions and responses to mental distress including the role of social work and the application of legislation.Increase students' awareness of the impact of power, discrimination and stigma in the lives of people experiencing mental distress.Enablestudents to consider how their personal and professional experiences may affect their social work practice with people experiencing mental distress.Consider how we can promote good mental wellbeing for ourselves and others in the face of stress and adverse life events.Learning Outcomes
- Understand and apply to social work practice social approaches to mental distress.
- Be able to compare and evaluate different approaches to understanding causation, manifestations and support for mental distress.
- Be able to identify potential interventions and responses to mental distress including the role of social work and the application of legislation.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the impact of power, discrimination and stigma in the lives of people experiencing mental distress.
- Demonstrate an understanding of how issues of poverty, ethnicity, disability, culture and gender interact with mental distress.