SSE – 110
Introduction to Social Welfare
and Social Work
Chapter 5
Emotional/Behavioral Problems and
Counseling
Emotional/Behavioral Problems and
Counseling
I. A Perspective on Emotional and Behavioral Problems
 Read the case scenario on page 140-141.
 Everyone, at times, has emotional problems and/or behavioral
difficulties.
II. Nature and Extent of Emotional and Behavioral Problems
 One of every four will experience some mental/emotional
problems.
 These problems range from depression and anxiety to an eating
disorder to suicide ideation.
Emotional/Behavioral Problems and
Counseling
III. What is Mental Illness?
 There are lots of terms to describe unusual behavior (weird,
crazy, insane, uptight, mad, sick, sicko, etc.).
 Models 1. Medical 2. Interactional Model
 Medical Model
 This model views mental and emotional problems to physical
illness.
 This model came about to dispel that emotional people are
possessed/demons.
 Evidence for this model come from studies – genetics influence
mental/behavioral disorders.
Emotional/Behavioral Problems and
Counseling
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See pages 144 – 145 APA Categories of Mental/Emotional
Problems – DSM 1V – TR.
Interactional Model
1950’s – Thomas Szasz felt mental illness was a myth – that is
does not exist.
Focus on process of everyday social interaction and the effects of
labeling.
See page 146 (See Case Example 5.1).
See pages 147 – 150 – How to be Labeled Mentally Ill.
See pages 148 –149 Questioning the Usefulness of the MentalIllness Concept.
Emotional/Behavioral Problems and
Counseling
IV. Labeling as the Cause of Chronic “Mental Illness”
 Once labeled does a label stay with a person life long?
 Some people believe we need to over haul how we diagnose people
currently.
V. Other Issues
 *The homeless – 13% of the homeless may suffer with a mental
illness.
 Deinstitutionalization – 1960’s and 70’s.
 Homeless veterans
 * Civil Rights
Emotional/Behavioral Problems and
Counseling
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Involuntary confinement of people (T-36).
*Plea of innocent by reasons of insanity.
Hinckley – tried to assassinate Reagan (1981).
*Use of psychotropic drugs.
Valium – Celexa – Zyprexa.
*Manage health care (HMO).
Reduction of benefits and care to clients with mental and
emotional problems.
See page 162– 172.
Emotional/Behavioral Problems and
Counseling
VI. Social Structure and Mental Illness
 Social Class – poor more likely to be labeled mentally ill.
 Urbanization – inner has a higher rate of mental illness.
 Age – older adults have more mental illness.
 Marital status – single have more mental illness.
 Also, people divorced and widowed have more mental illness.
 Sex – men and women are equally likely to be treated.
 Race – African Americans are more likely to be diagnosed as
mentally ill compared to whites.
 Combatants in Wars
Emotional/Behavioral Problems and
Counseling
VII. Treatment
 Historic treatment of the mentally ill.
 First psychiatric hospital was in Williamsburg, VA.
 Asylums and total institutions.
 Current trends.
 Medication
 Treatment in community mental health centers.
 Therapy / counseling.
Emotional/Behavioral Problems and
Counseling
VIII. Treatment Facilities: Community Mental Health Centers
 Community Mental Health Center Act of 1963.
 Emphasis on diagnosis and treatment.
 Outpatient services.
 Partial hospitalization.
 Professionals
 Today there are only about 100,000 patients in state hospitals
compared to 550,000 in 1955.
Emotional/Behavioral Problems and
Counseling
IX. Social Work and Mental Health
 Social worker first worked with the mentally ill in 1906.
 Now the emphasis is on treating the family and the patient.
 More social workers treating the mentally ill than psychiatrists
and psychologists.
 NASW’s role – see page 180.
Emotional/Behavioral Problems and
Counseling
X. Counseling
 How to counsel.
 Building a relationship.
 Exploring a problem in-depth.
 Exploring alternative solutions.
 Comprehensive and specialized counseling approaches.
 *Rational therapy – Albert Ellis.
 Read case example 5.3 on pages 170 – 171.