PART 3 – Fields of Practice and Populations Served by Social

Workers

Chapter 9: Mental Health, Substance Use, and Disability

The topics of this chapter are mental health and mental illness, the misuse of alcohol and
other drugs, and disabilities. First, we provide definitions and characteristics related to mental
health and mental illness, substance use, and disabilities. The later part of the chapter focuses on
policies, services and programs; current breakthroughs that are likely to change how these issues
are addressed; and roles that social workers play in addressing these issues.[EP 2.1.6b, 2.1.7b,
2.1.9a]

ACTIVITIES
We have found that the following activities provide students with some eye-opening ways to
experience issues related to mental health, substance use, and disabilities in the United States.

Activity 1
Show the video One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Girl Interrupted, or another video that
addresses life in a mental institution. Discuss the video in relation to the information obtained
from the text. [EP 2.1.3a, 2.1.7b, 2.1.8a]

Activity 2
Invite a panel of consumers with physical, developmental and emotional disabilities and in
recovery from addiction of alcohol or other drugs to talk with the class about the services they
received and their effectiveness [EP 2.1.1a, 2.1.3a, 2.1.8a]

Activity 3
Have students do a walkthrough of various public facilities such as a college or university
campus, a shopping mall, or a place where public events are held to determine how accessible
they are to persons with various types of disabilities. Compare their findings with the
accessibility provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act described in the text. [EP 2.1.1a,
2.1.7b, 2.1.8a]

Activity 4
Show a video clip on the number of persons with mentally illness now in prison or have students
read excerpts from a book such as Crazy in America or Street Crazy. Discuss the revolutions in
mental health that have occurred since deinstitutionalization and the fact that many say that
prisons are now the predominate institutions for those with mental illness. Talk about options
that can reduce the numbers of persons who are mentally ill coming into the criminal justice
system.

Activity 5
Have students (with permission) attend a meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous, NAMI, Campus
Students in Recovery, or an advocacy group that addresses issues relating to addiction, disability,
or mental health/mental illness. Discuss their participation in relation to service needs and gaps.
Instructor’s Manual, Chapter 8

Discussion Questions

1. Discuss the problems in defining mental illness. [EP 2.1.3a]

2. Briefly describe the DSM Classification System and the PIE Classification System that can
be used in understanding mental health problems. [EP 2.1.2b, 2.1.7a, b]

3. Do you agree with Szasz’s concept of mental health? Discuss your rationale for either
agreeing or disagreeing. [EP 2.1.7a, b]

4. Identify at least three different ways that substance misuse may be conceptualized. [EP
2.1.7b]

5. Identify at least four ways that substance misuse/addiction is costly to society. [EP 2.1.9a]

6. What is your definition of an alcoholic? Identify at least three factors at each level of the
environment that can place an individual at risk to become an alcoholic. [EP 2.1.7b]

7. Discuss the meaning of the term intellectual disability. How does this term contrast with
previously used terminology used to identify persons within this category? [EP 2.1.7b]

8. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of deinstitutionalization. [EP 2.1.1a, 2.1.8a,

2.1.9a, b]

9. Identify at least five areas in which social workers employed in mental health settings might
work. What are some of the roles in which they might function? [EP 2.1.1a, 2.1.8a, 2.1.9b]

10. What are the advantages and disadvantages of managed care in addressing mental health
issues? From a client perspective? From a social worker employed in a mental health agency
perspective? [EP 2.1.3b, 2.1.9a, b]