Book chapter
Exploring Opportunities for Community Work and Transforming Systems in Mental Health Social Work: Expanding Our Gaze
Social Work in the Mental Health Field: From Power Analysis to Practice, pp.69-90
SpringerBriefs in Social Work Series, Springer, 1st
02/2026
Appears in Recent Faculty of Health Publications
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Abstract
This chapter explores the opportunities that exist for social workers to move beyond the limitations of individual casework in the mainstream mental health system. It describes the possibilities and challenges of moving toward collective and community-led approaches, in order to develop alternative responses and possibilities outside a diagnostic approach, in solidarity with people and communities experiencing violence and injustices. In addition, this chapter discusses practical opportunities for social workers to strategically challengequestion the dominance of medicalisation and coercion within mental health organisations.
Details
- Title
- Exploring Opportunities for Community Work and Transforming Systems in Mental Health Social Work: Expanding Our Gaze
- Creators
- Louise Whitaker - Southern Cross UniversityKatherine Reid - Queensland University of TechnologyEmma Tseris - The University of SydneyHollie BallingallAshlea BorgBinti JonesAlex OlsenAimee PittLisa Thorpy
- Publication Details
- Social Work in the Mental Health Field: From Power Analysis to Practice, pp.69-90
- Series
- SpringerBriefs in Social Work Series
- Publisher
- Springer; Cham
- Edition
- 1st
- Number of pages
- 110
- Identifiers
- 9783032083067; 3032083060; 9783032083050; 991013357509902368
- Copyright
- © 2026 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG
- Academic Unit
- Social Work; Faculty of Health
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Book chapter