Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) Mental Health Syllabus - Mumbai University

About this course

The prevalence of mental health disorders in India has risen steadily in recent years causing a serious public health concern. The survey by India’s National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) found that nearly 150 million Indians need mental health care services, but fewer than 30 million are seeking care. Over 10 per cent of the population has diagnosable mental health or substance use disorder. There are limited mental health professionals to treat people who do seek help. According to the Indian Journal of Psychiatry, there are only 0.75 psychiatrists for every 100,000 patients. In India Mental Health and common mental health disorders are also shaped to a great extent by a variety of social, economic, and physical environments that need a multidisciplinary approach to address challenges in mental health beyond the psychiatric perspective. Addressing the challenges within the field of mental health requires a comprehensive approach that critically examines societal attitudes, policies, availability and accessibility of mental services and rights of persons with mental illness. The gap between the number of trained mental health professionals and emerging mental health concerns, the complex interplay of social determinants that impact mental health, and the relevance of the Diathesis Stress Model in understanding mental health and mental illness underscore the relevance of training in mental health for social workers. The course on Mental Health Practice aims to equip social work students with knowledge, skills and attitudes and enhance their capacities in the field of mental health through lectures, assignments, workshops and field visits. The course includes a history of the paradigm shift in mental health interventions from a demonological approach to a reformatory approach; concepts related to mental health; an overview of diagnostic criteria, causes, and treatments of mental illness; international and national policies, laws related to mental health; the relevance of community mental health interventions and the role of social workers in micro, mezzo, and macro levels of practice within a multi-disciplinary context from a rights-based perspective. Experiential learning would be encouraged through field-based assignments and field visits. The learner will be provided a first-hand experience to engage with professionals and clients and observe the role of the social worker as a multidisciplinary team member.

Course objectives

• To provide an orientation to concepts and social determinants of mental health.
• To gain basic understanding of mental health disorders and treatment approaches for referrals
• To learn and practice the community mental health interventions
• To gain an overview of mental health policies and legislations.
• Design a mental health intervention project for Self and Community from a person- centered, strengths-based and recovery model

Learning outcomes

• CO 205 Recognize the complexity of mental health as a continuum and how mental health issues can affect everyone
• CO 206 Discuss complexity of mental health history, concepts, and the range of potential risks as an outcome of social determinants.
• CO 207 Analyze the diagnosis and prognosis of various mental health disorders to respond effectively to individuals and families in crisis and reduce stigma.
• CO 208 Apply legal frameworks and intervention models with emphasis on person centered/strengths based and recovery-oriented model in the promotion of mental health across various settings

Unit I: Introduction to Concept of Mental Health

• History of mental health: demonological to reformation
• Social determinants of mental health and impact
• Epidemiology, Magnitude of mental health globally and in India
• Human Rights Violations due to mental health challenges

Essential readings

• Rosenberger, P., Ramí rez, C., Nevid, J., Rathus, S. and Greene, B. (2000). Abnormal Psychology in a changing world study guide. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Prentice Hall.
• Carson, R., Butcher, J. and Mineka, S. (2002). Fundamentals of abnormal psychology and modern life. Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
• Nolen-Hoeksema, S. (2005). Abnormal Psychology. 3rd ed. New Delhi: Tata Mc Graw Hill Publishing Company.
• Patel V. (2003) Where There Is No Psychiatrist. London: Royal College of Psychiatrists

Unit II: Mental Disorders: An Overview

• Neuro- developmental Disorders;
• Schizophrenia;
• Mood disorders; anxiety disorders;
• Trauma and Stress- Related Disorders;
• Somatic Symptoms and Related Disorders;
• Feeding and Eating Disorders;
• Dissociative Disorders;
• Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders
• Personality Disorders;
• Psychiatric Evaluation and Mental Status Examination.

Essential readings

• Shah, N., Desouza, Merchant, H, Karia, S. (2024). Post Graduate Case Presentation in Psychiatry. Clever Pen Publishing.
• Corcoran, J. Walsh, J. (2015). Mental Health in Social Work A Casebook on Diagnosis and Strengths Based Assessment. Pearson
• WHO (2016). Handbook of International Classification of Diseases (10th Revision). Geneva: World Health Organisation

Unit III: Policies and Programmes and Approaches

• Person-centered / strengths-based and recovery-oriented] to mental health promotion and interventions
• National initiatives for the promotion of mental health (policies, programmes, law)
• Mental Health Programs:
• National Mental Health Program
• District Mental Health Program
• Community Mental Health Program
• School Mental Health Program

Essential readings

• Nelson, G., Bretkloos, Orleans. (2014) Community Psychology and Community Mental Health. Oxford University Press
• Chavan, B.S., Gupta, N., Arun, P., Sidana, A. & Jadhav, S. (2012). Community Mental Health in India. Jaypee Brothers Publication.
• Jeger, A.M. & Slotnick R.S. (2011). Community Mental Health and Behavioral Ecology: A Handbook of Theory Research and Practice. 2nd edition. New York: Springer Publications

Unit IV: Social Work Practice across mental health settings.

• Schools, De- Addiction Centers, Hospitals, Child Guidance Clinics, Half Way Homes, Prison Settings, and Palliative Care.

Essential readings

• Gould, N. (2016). Mental Health Social Work in Context. 2nd Edition. Routledge Publications. Learner Social Work Series
• Anand, M. (2024). Mental Health Care Resource Book: Concepts and Praxis for Social Workers and Mental Health Professionals. New Delhi: Springer