Project Director
Cooley, Morgan E.
Department Examiner
Scott, Cathy B.; Whitted, Jodi; Doolittle, Amy L.
Publisher
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Place of Publication
Chattanooga (Tenn.)
Abstract
Social workers are often the front line responders for individuals with mental illness. However, there has been limited research related to how social workers are prepared, what the best practices are, and what suggestions have been made to improve preparation in this kind of setting. This research study included a cross-sectional mixed methods study examining the knowledge and preparation of social work professionals as well as recommendations for improving education. The results indicated that social work educators and professionals are competent in their knowledge of mental health. The qualitative responses indicated three overarching themes: (1) confidence in abilities but acknowledgement of the need for of resources, support, or practice; (2) a systemic perspective of experiences; and (3) realities of working in mental health. Respondents also provided several recommendations for improving education in order to better prepare social workers to work in mental health. The results of this study can be used to enhance future research, practice, and policy built around mental health preparation.
Acknowledgments
The successful completion of this thesis required a lot of guidance from the thesis advisor and department examiners. It would have not been possible without their encouragement and support. Specifically, the completion of this thesis could not have been possible without the assistance of Dr. Morgan E. Cooley, LCSW. She is kindly thanked and appreciated for all of her support and advice through this project. Her assistance through hard-work, patience, and kind words do not go unrecognized.
IRB Number
17-012
Degree
B. S.; An honors thesis submitted to the faculty of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Bachelor of Science.
Date
5-2017
Subject
Social work education; Psychiatric social work
Discipline
Social Work
Document Type
Theses
Extent
vii, 29 leaves
DCMI Type
Text
Language
English
Rights
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/
Recommended Citation
Triplett, Destini, "Working with mental illness and the preparation of social workers" (2017). Honors Theses.
https://scholar.utc.edu/honors-theses/92
Department
Dept. of Social Work