Discrimination And Empowerment In Mental Health Social Work Essay

Discrimination And Empowerment In Mental Health Social Work EssayThis turn up go away firstly define what discrimination is and what it means to furcate against something. It depart then explain what it means to discriminate against someone or a chemical group in social work utilize. This will be a very broad definition that encompasses a variety of different assist user groups. Examples will be used to demonstrate what discrimination whitethorn look like in social work practice and everyday life. To gain a rectify understand the essay will critically research theory and ideas around power and how power manifests between groups. This part of the essay will touch on the idea of othering. The essay will use social constructionism theory to analyse this concept of power.The essay will then focus in on mental health. This part of the essay will firstly look at what a mental health problem is and explore the stigma of being labelled with a mental health problem. The essay will t hen go deeper to focus on how the western medical model can discriminate against Black and ethnic Minority groups (BME), even if indirectly. The essay will then critically explore why BME adults, particularly men, are overrepresented in the mental health service. Links will be made to institutional racism and the fact that BME children are underrepresented in child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS).In in broadest definition, to discriminate means to differentiate or to recognise a distinction (Oxford Dictionaries 2012). In this broad sense it is a part of daily life to discriminate. For example, an adult may discriminate between lanes on a motorway and a baby will often discriminate between a stranger and their caregiver. Discrimination becomes a problem when the difference or recognised distinction is used for the basis of unfair treatment. This is the discrimination that social workers need to be vigilant for.Discrimination is non always intentional (Thompson 2009) a nd there are various types of discrimination (EHRC 2012). Discrimination can be direct, indirect, based on the perception that someone has a defend characteristic or discriminate against someone who is associated with a person who has a protected characteristic (EHRC 2012). The Equality Act (2010) also aims to protect tribe with a protective characteristic(s) from victimisation, harassment and failure to make reasonable adjustments (Home Office 2012). Thompsons (1997) PCS model demonstrates that discrimination is non always on a personal level and it is not just solely down to the individual. I will return to the PCS model later on in the essay.Social workers act as mediators between service users and the state. Social workers are in a role that can potential droply empower or oppress (Thompson 1997). For this reason Thompson (1997 11) argues that good practice must be anti-discriminatory practice. All other areas of practice could be brilliant and the social worker could have v ery good intentions but if the social worker cannot recognise the marginalised spatial relation of some of the people they are working with their interventions could potentially further oppress (Thompson 1997). Thompson (1997) reminds the reader galore(postnominal) times throughout the book that If youre not part of the solution you are part of the problem. I choose to include this because it reinforces that social workers need to challenge discrimination and take action against it. To accept it and to not swim against the lunar time period does indeed make us part of the problem.Where does discrimination come from and why do people, institutions and systems discriminate against people? This part of the essay will critically explore the concept of power and social constructionism in relation to discrimination and social work. Power is defined by Haralambos and Holborn 2000 540) very loosely as the ability to purport your own way even when others are opposed to your wishes. This is of course a very simple definition of a complex concept. There are many models and theories around power. Thompson (1998 42) identified a common theme of the ability to influence or control people, events, processes or resources. These common themes of power all have the potential to be used destructively in social work. Social workers have the ability and power to influence and control, whether this is on an individual personal level or as a gate keeper of services or agent of control. Social workers need to be aware of power as they work with people who are marginalised and powerless in comparison people who social workers could potentially oppress and even worse, abuse.Giddens (1993) makes close links between power and inequality.EHRC Equality and kind-hearted rights commission., 2012. Viewed 2012.11.10 What is discrimination? online. Available from http//www.equalityhumanrights.com/advice-and-guidance/education-providers-schools-guidance/key-concepts/what-is-discrimination/G iddens, A., 1993. Sociology (2nd ed). Cambridge PolityHaralambos, M, Holborn, M., 2000. Sociology themes and perspectives. London HarperCollins Publishers LtdHome Office., 2012. viewed 2012.11.11 Equality Act 2010 online. Available from http//www.homeoffice.gov.uk/equalities/equality-act/Oxford Dictionaries., 2012. Viewed 2012.10.19 Discriminate Online. Available from http//oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/discriminate?q=discriminateThompson, N., 1997. Anti-Discriminatory practice (2nd ed). Basingstoke Macmillan PressThompson,N., 1998. Promoting Equality challenging discrimination and oppression in human services. Basingstoke Macmillan Press LtdThompson, N., 2009. Practising social work. Basingstoke Palgrave Macmillan