Get To Know Your Mental Health Specialist 

mental health issues

Get To Know Your Mental Health Specialist 

Social workers and psychologists have different roles when it comes to treating patients suffering from mental health issues.

In the instances of mental illness, It is crucial to recognize the sources of help available to us. These sources could be from the government or private institutions.

As we know, there’s a bit of confusion because of the insufficient understanding of the roles of medical professionals in treating patients suffering from mental health problems. This article will educate the general public about the roles of psychologists and social workers regarding mental health.

The Different Roles Of Social Workers And Psychologists

Dr Jay Feldman Social workers strive to improve the well-being of society both physically and mentally. Because the roles that social professionals play are similar to psychologists, however, some may face difficulties deciding who to refer to. Some differences do exist in treating mental health issues.

They also collaborate with various organizations, such as public and private organizations, in handling cases of abuse, financial assistance, and other matters.

Based on my experience during my internship, most referral cases require health care assistance which falls from the Ministry of Health. They also inform the doctor and other pertinent organizations if the patient requires additional diagnostic or medical treatment.

According to our research, social workers can assist people in enhancing their well-being. But, they don’t perform specific psychological assessments or assist patients. They’ll refer any situation with mental health concerns to psychologists or psychiatrists in case of need.

Dr. Jordan Sudberg Psychologists are accountable for providing care to patients who have mental health problems. There are a variety of psychologists. They include psychotherapists specializing in clinical psychology, organizational psychologists, and developmental psychologists.

Psychologists can perform observations or written assessments of patients. They will also organize intervention sessions to assist patients in overcoming their problems.

In the end, it is possible to observe the distinct role of social workers and psychologists when treating patients suffering from mental health problems. This is vital so that the general public knows where to go should they require assistance with mental illness.

Priscilla Arungwa served as the principal investigator on the grant. The co-primary investigators on this project included Sam Arungwa, a prevention scientist and assistant professor of sociology and criminal justice, Charlie Bayles, clinical assistant professor of social work, and Shilo Martinez, Student Life assistant.

The program objectives included:

  • Matching each student of concern with a Mental Health Peer Prevention Specialist;
  • Each student of concern will work with their peer mentor to create a Wellness Recovery Action Plan to prevent and address mental health concerns and risk factors;
  • Documentation of Program’s work through various software;
  • Programming and Outreach Events to spread Mental Health Awareness for USU Blanding faculty and students.

In addition to providing services, the Peer Mental Health Support Network has also created activities on campus for students including table events, seminars, surveys, Wellness Recovery Action Plan outreach, training, mental health week and student success outreach opportunities. These activities aimed to help students with mental health awareness as well as provide the resources needed for students to get the help they need.

The Peer Mental Health Support Network has seen several success stories already. One included a faculty member reporting that a student’s parent had recently died. The network reached out to the student and helped them through the difficult time. They delivered a care kit to the student when they came back to school and spoke to the student about seeing a therapist.

Along with helping students, USU Blanding hopes to spread the word about mental health and help other schools implement their own version of the network.

In May, Priscilla and Sam Arungwa, Casidee Coombs, Sean Wyles, Hasbah Bitsui, Kim Keith and Alicia Galten all presented at the 2022 Higher Education Suicide Prevention Conference. The conference is a collaborative organization with the united goal of developing and implementing strategies to reduce suicide on college campuses and improve the overall wellness of students.

USU Blanding does not currently have an in-house mental health therapist or counseling center on campus. To help support USU Blanding students, the Utah Navajo Health System provides a therapist who works on campus once a week. Students can also visit the local UNHS clinic on days the therapist is not present on campus. Students can also utilize USU Logan’s online Counseling and Psychological Services.

“Everyone has the right to be listened to and heard,” said Casidee Coombs, a peer mental health specialist at USU Blanding. “Just because no one else can heal or do your inner work for you, doesn’t mean you can, should, or need to do it alone. People feel connected to society or on a deeper level when they are loved. We just have to give people the opportunity to express themselves.”

By kazim kabir

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