Rehabilitating the Chronically Mentally Ill: Social Work's Claim to Leadership

Abstract

community adjustment of the chronically mentally ill results from the sophisticated application of fundamental social work concepts that have been recognized since the earliest days of the profession. More over, in spite of the interest of social workers in doing therapy, however that may be defined, it is the other (and earlier) definition of social work practice with individuals and families that is likely to be the profession's valuable contribution to rehabilitating this population. Moreover, because of social work's unique history and conceptual framework, it is argued that this profession is in the most advan tageous position to organize the network of supports and services that are neces sary to make community rehabilitation happen. It is not contended that social work is the only, or the most important, profession that deals with the long-term mentally ill; it is only argued that the con ceptual framework and nearly a century of experience in helping clients with the complexities of social interaction give so cial work a track record that places it in an optimal position to provide leadership in this developing field, should its mem bers wish to rise to the challenge. More over, case management, as the quintes Richard T. Wintersteen