THE RELEVANCE OF SOCIAL WORKERS IN A MENTAL INSTITUTION (A STUDY OF NEUROPHYSCIATRIC HOSPITAL, ARO, ABEOKUTA STATE)

Project Abstract

This research project aims to explore the relevance of social workers in a mental institution, specifically focusing on the Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital in Aro, Abeokuta State. The role of social workers in mental health care settings is crucial, as they provide essential support and interventions that contribute to the overall well-being of patients. The study will investigate the specific duties and responsibilities of social workers in the mental institution and assess the impact of their interventions on the patients' mental health outcomes. Through a mixed-methods approach, including interviews with social workers, mental health professionals, and patients, as well as a review of existing literature on the subject, the research will delve into the various ways in which social workers address the psychosocial needs of individuals with mental health conditions. The study will also examine the challenges faced by social workers in this particular setting, such as stigma surrounding mental illness, limited resources, and high caseloads, and how these factors may affect their ability to provide effective care. Furthermore, the research will explore the collaboration between social workers and other healthcare professionals in the Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, highlighting the importance of a multidisciplinary team approach in addressing the complex needs of individuals with mental health disorders. By understanding the unique contributions of social workers in this setting, the study aims to shed light on the significance of their role in promoting recovery and rehabilitation among patients with mental illness. The findings of this research project are expected to provide valuable insights into the relevance of social workers in mental institutions and offer recommendations for enhancing their effectiveness in supporting individuals with mental health conditions. By highlighting the critical role of social workers in promoting holistic care and addressing the psychosocial aspects of mental illness, this study seeks to contribute to the ongoing efforts to improve mental health services in Nigeria, particularly in the context of the Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital in Aro, Abeokuta State.

Project Overview

<p> </p><p><strong>1.0 INTRODUCTION</strong></p><p><strong>1.1 &nbsp; &nbsp; BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY</strong></p><p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; According to NASW policy statement journal (2012-2014) stated that 60% of social workers are trained professionals in mental health practice among other health professionals. This has shown that social work is needed and vital in mental institution for good functioning.</p><p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; It is necessary that social workers work hand in hand with other health professionals for the positive wellbeing of a client. If there is a positive relationship between the social worker and other health professionals, the well-being of the individual involved would be put at heart. Social workers are useful for the positive growth and improvement of the client’s health because the social worker comes in contact with the client and are easily accessible and the social worker is able to build a link or relationship between the client and other health professionals.</p><p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Social work is a helping profession which deals with human beings. It looks at the well-being and state of the client to see if they are stable. Social workers deal with all the aspects of humans ranging from the social life to the physical, emotional, environmental and behavioural aspect of man.</p><p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Medical social work is sub-discipline of social work also known as Hospital social work and healthcare social work. Medical social workers typically work in the hospital or other health organizations. “The medical social worker seeks to remove those obstacles, either in the patients surroundings or in their mental attitude, that interfere with successful treatment, thus freeing the patient to aid in his recovery as a whole person” (Ida cannon, 1923). Medical social workers work with the other interdisciplinary team to achieve a positive outcome in the patient’s health. Medical social workers are to assess the functioning of psychosocial needs, environmental and support needs of patients and families and intervene. Medical social work is the branch of social work that works with patients who have mental illness in a neuropsychiatric hospital. According to World Health Organization, health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.</p><p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; According to Wikipedia, mental health is a level of physiological well-being or an absence of a mental disorder; it is the psychological state of someone who is functioning at a satisfactory level of emotional and behavioural adjustment. Mental health is a vital issue because it deals with the functioning of an individual, psychologically, behaviourally and socially.</p><p>&nbsp; &nbsp; According to World Health Organization (WHO) mental health includes subjective well-being, perceived self-efficacy, autonomy, competence inter-generational dependence and self-actualization of one’s intellectual and emotional potentials among others. When the mental health of an individual begins to deteriorate in the sense that an individual mental functioning does not perform well is called mental illness.</p><p>Mental illness refers to all of the diagnosable mental disorders and it’s characterized by abnormalities in thinking, feeling or behaviors. Types of mental illness range from depression, anxiety, behaviors and substance abuse disorder. Mental illness brings about abnormal functioning of the mind of a man. It has been known that there is no specific cause of mental illness because it is a complexity of genes, psychological and environmental factors. Mental illness could also comprise of stress from work or family. It could also comprise of natural disaster or wars. Military veterans also suffer from mental illness due to the trauma of war they have been involved in. In Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, there was an alarming increase rate of 28,000 patients in 2009 compared to 42,000 patients in 2010.</p><p>The aspect of social work that deals with mental health is under medical social work. Medical social work is a sub-discipline of social work also known as hospital social work. Medical social workers typically work in a hospital, skilled nursing facility or hospice; and work with patients and their families in need of psychosocial help. Medical social workers assess the psychosocial functioning of patients and families and intervene as necessary. Interventions may include connecting patients and families to necessary resources and support in the community; providing psychotherapy, supportive counselling or grief counselling, or helping patient to expand and strengthen their network of social supports.</p><p>The medical social workers job is to perform assessment with patients to assess for any physical, mental or emotional needs. They assess the family support system and link the patient with service to help with care if needed. Gould 2006 some social workers provide counselling to patients who are suffering from depression, anxiety or who are having difficulty coping.</p><p>Social work is very important in the aspect of mental health. This is because lots of issues and events cause mental illness in an individual. Social workers deal with the physical, social, behavioural and environmental aspect of an individual. It also laid emphasis on the family of the individual also bearing in mind the organization the individual works in.</p><p><strong>1.2</strong>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<strong>STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM</strong></p><p>There is an alarming increase in the rate at which people are affected with mental illness. It also involves the inadequacy of people addressing social factors to mental illness. So many factors cause mental illness and the psychiatrist only place more focus on the medical factors thereby neglecting other social, behavioral and environmental factor. Social workers identify these main key factors when involved in the treatment of an individual that is mentally ill. Social workers in Nigeria are not given much relevance when it comes to helping patients with mental illness that have social factors affecting their mental health and stability.</p><p><strong>1.3</strong><strong>&nbsp; &nbsp; JUSTIFICATION OF THE STUDY</strong></p><p>This study is essential in that mental health is important to the healthy functioning of an individual so as to be able to relate with his/her environment effectively and also to bring about increase in the input of the community. In Nigeria, little regard is being given to the social worker in conjunction with mental health. Thus the need for the study to showcase the place of the social worker in relation to mental health issues.</p> <br><p></p>