ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book looks at changes to the knowledge base for mental health practice, changes to mental health policy, workforce issues, and the challenges to practice arising from the emergence of the consumer and family movements in mental health. It deals with the lived experience of mental illness. The book reviews the mental health policy framework for service delivery and practice in Australia. It presents an overview of five of the major mental health disorders—common disorders such as anxiety and depression, as well as schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, and borderline personality disorder. The book addresses the important area of working with families of people with mental disorder. It is concerned with the organisational aspects of social work practice—working in agencies and teams.
