Some Facts and Frequently Asked Questions
What is the function of social workers within the realm of mental health?
Social workers constitute one of the primary professional cohorts within the mental health domain.
Within public and community mental health sectors, social workers possess established proficiency in assisting individuals with serious mental health conditions and associated challenges. Social workers represent the second largest group of allied health professionals providing mental health support.
What educational background do social workers have?
Similar to other healthcare professionals, social workers hold tertiary-level qualifications. They undergo formal education in social work, which can either be a four-year undergraduate program or pursued at the postgraduate level, incorporating supervised clinical practice. Mental health is an integral component of the core curriculum in all accredited social work programs.
Many social workers specialising in mental health further their expertise through additional postgraduate qualifications, which include specialised clinical training.
Who are Mental Health Accredited Social Workers?
AMHSWs are social workers recognised and accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) for their specialised proficiency in mental health. This accreditation is conducted in collaboration with the Federal Government and Medicare Australia. To sustain their AMHSW designation, social workers must fulfill the criteria outlined in the AASW Continuing Professional Development (CPD) program, particularly focusing on mental health, which includes supervised practice.
What do Accredited Mental Health Social Workers do?
Accredited Mental Health Social Workers (AMHSWs) are professionals adept at addressing various mental health concerns. They offer counselling and therapeutic interventions to individuals, families, and groups, aiming to alleviate psychological distress and enhance overall well-being. AMHSWs assess, diagnose, and develop tailored treatment plans for individuals coping with mental health disorders, recognising the broader impact these issues may have on their social, familial, and occupational spheres. They collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, advocate for their clients' needs, and facilitate access to community resources and support services. Through their expertise and compassionate approach, AMHSWs play a crucial role in promoting mental health awareness, resilience, and recovery within their communities.
Professional insurance
Belonging to the AASW ensures adequate coverage for professional liability and indemnity insurance.
Social workers aid individuals facing mental health challenges in addressing related psychosocial issues, aiming to enhance their overall well-being. They acknowledge the broader ramifications of mental illness on various aspects of an individual's life, including relationships, employment, and education. Addressing these concerns may entail family interventions alongside individual counselling and group therapy. Social workers highly value the insights, experiences, and perspectives of individuals and families affected by mental illness. Similar to other health professionals, Accredited Mental Health Social Workers work with a broad range of clients. However, some specialise in working with particular client groups such as children, adolescents, adults or older people, and in the use of particular therapeutic approaches such as marital or family therapy. Social workers also work with people with specific disorders, and those at risk of suicide.
Accredited Mental Health Social Workers are providers credentialed by Medicare Australia and are eligible to provide services through a range of government-funded programs, including:
• Better Access to Mental Health Care
• Chronic Disease Management (Enhanced Primary Care)
• Non-directive Pregnancy Counselling
• Access to Allied Psychological Services (ATAPS) program
• Veteran Affairs.
Social workers constitute one of the primary professional cohorts within the mental health domain.
Within public and community mental health sectors, social workers possess established proficiency in assisting individuals with serious mental health conditions and associated challenges. Social workers represent the second largest group of allied health professionals providing mental health support.
What educational background do social workers have?
Similar to other healthcare professionals, social workers hold tertiary-level qualifications. They undergo formal education in social work, which can either be a four-year undergraduate program or pursued at the postgraduate level, incorporating supervised clinical practice. Mental health is an integral component of the core curriculum in all accredited social work programs.
Many social workers specialising in mental health further their expertise through additional postgraduate qualifications, which include specialised clinical training.
Who are Mental Health Accredited Social Workers?
AMHSWs are social workers recognised and accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) for their specialised proficiency in mental health. This accreditation is conducted in collaboration with the Federal Government and Medicare Australia. To sustain their AMHSW designation, social workers must fulfill the criteria outlined in the AASW Continuing Professional Development (CPD) program, particularly focusing on mental health, which includes supervised practice.
What do Accredited Mental Health Social Workers do?
Accredited Mental Health Social Workers (AMHSWs) are professionals adept at addressing various mental health concerns. They offer counselling and therapeutic interventions to individuals, families, and groups, aiming to alleviate psychological distress and enhance overall well-being. AMHSWs assess, diagnose, and develop tailored treatment plans for individuals coping with mental health disorders, recognising the broader impact these issues may have on their social, familial, and occupational spheres. They collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, advocate for their clients' needs, and facilitate access to community resources and support services. Through their expertise and compassionate approach, AMHSWs play a crucial role in promoting mental health awareness, resilience, and recovery within their communities.
Professional insurance
Belonging to the AASW ensures adequate coverage for professional liability and indemnity insurance.
Social workers aid individuals facing mental health challenges in addressing related psychosocial issues, aiming to enhance their overall well-being. They acknowledge the broader ramifications of mental illness on various aspects of an individual's life, including relationships, employment, and education. Addressing these concerns may entail family interventions alongside individual counselling and group therapy. Social workers highly value the insights, experiences, and perspectives of individuals and families affected by mental illness. Similar to other health professionals, Accredited Mental Health Social Workers work with a broad range of clients. However, some specialise in working with particular client groups such as children, adolescents, adults or older people, and in the use of particular therapeutic approaches such as marital or family therapy. Social workers also work with people with specific disorders, and those at risk of suicide.
Accredited Mental Health Social Workers are providers credentialed by Medicare Australia and are eligible to provide services through a range of government-funded programs, including:
• Better Access to Mental Health Care
• Chronic Disease Management (Enhanced Primary Care)
• Non-directive Pregnancy Counselling
• Access to Allied Psychological Services (ATAPS) program
• Veteran Affairs.