Incorporating co-created knowledge into mental health social work education in Japan: an organizational case study

Abstract

ABSTRACT In Japan, several community-based practices have led to the formation of practical theories in community mental health social work. As an innovative example, social workers at Yadokari-no-sato, a nonprofit organization in Japan, have worked with persons with psychosocial disabilities, their families and other supporters since 1970, while developing theories based on collaborative practices. Thus, based on the work of this organization, this study examined the incorporation of knowledge created through collaborative practices into mental health social work education in Japan from an international perspective. This study used an organizational case study design with mixed methods. First, a qualitative content analysis was conducted using data extracted from major textbooks (n = 25). This analysis identified eight categories related to the fundamental theories and innovative activities rooted in Yadokari-no-sato. Second, the reflections of students regarding a series of university lectures, which focused on the organization’s practices, further supplemented the analysis. The study findings suggest that the values and perspectives of social work practices and the process of collaborative activities with relationship building have developed historically and comprehensively. The findings further indicate the significance of incorporating co-created practical knowledge and its process into social work education beyond the organizational context.