The Roles of Forensic Social Work in Caring for Individuals with Serious Mental Illness-View Presentation Slides

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The American Psychiatric Association's document, "The Roles of Forensic Social Work in Caring for Individuals with Serious Mental Illness," outlines the key functions, history, and continuing education opportunities in forensic social work. Presented on June 15, 2023, the document details a live webinar aimed at educating individuals about the critical roles forensic social workers play within multidisciplinary teams addressing serious mental illness (SMI). <br /><br />Forensic social work is defined as the application of social work principles to legal issues, extending beyond traditional settings to encompass court-involved individuals like criminal defendants. Key functions include consultation and training for justice systems, diagnosis, and treatment recommendations, along with acting as expert witnesses.<br /><br />The webinar’s learning objectives are to describe the field of forensic social work, demonstrate its application in real-world contexts through practitioners' experiences, and discuss challenges and opportunities within the field. Forensic social workers address complex issues involving SMI, family systems, dual-system youth, and previously incarcerated populations, needing comprehensive support services.<br /><br />The document emphasizes the importance of multidisciplinary approaches and highlights the national attention to forensic social work through organizations like the National Organization of Forensic Social Work (NOFSW). It also explores its historical evolution from the Progressive Era to contemporary practice.<br /><br />Social workers in forensic settings operate in hospitals, juvenile and correctional institutions, probation and parole settings, and mental health courts. They play crucial roles in performing competency to stand trial evaluations, competency restoration treatments, and discharge planning, ensuring appropriate management of individuals with legal and mental health challenges.<br /><br />Finally, the document discusses avenues for further learning and participation in discussions on SMI, the role of risk assessments, and upcoming educational opportunities, emphasizing the integration of professional ethics throughout practice.

Keywords

forensic social work

serious mental illness

multidisciplinary teams

justice systems

expert witnesses

National Organization of Forensic Social Work

competency evaluations

discharge planning

risk assessments

professional ethics