ABSTRACT

Some social work educators advocate for people with mental health conditions to become social workers because they may possess experiential knowledge and insights that equip them to help others achieve recovery goals. Educators also are tasked with gatekeeping, ensuring that students demonstrate social work competencies. Minimal research exists about how schools handle these dual responsibilities. Using an online survey of deans and directors and BSW and MSW coordinators of programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, this mixed-methods study asked about program administrators’ (a) experiences with students with mental health conditions and (b) existing and needed policies and practices related to these students. According to findings, a large majority described problems experienced by students with mental health conditions; schools managed mental health-related issues in a variety of ways; most said these students have graduated using supports; about half indicated students had been terminated because of mental health-related issues; disruptive behaviors, absences, and boundary issues were key challenges; and some programs’ practices might violate federal statutes. Student counseling, legal advice, and relationships with disability resource centers were desired resources. Implications include considerations for policies that are consistent with social work’s social justice mandate, federal laws, and our gatekeeping responsibilities.

摘要

一些社会工作教育者提倡有心理健康问题的人成为社会工作者，因为他们可能拥有经验知识和洞察力，使他们能够帮助他人实现康复目标。教育工作者还负责把关，确保学生表现出社会工作能力。关于学校如何处理这些双重责任的研究很少。通过对社会工作教育委员会认可的项目的院长和董事以及 BSW 和 MSW 协调员的在线调查，这项混合方法研究询问了项目管理人员的 (a) 与有心理健康问题的学生的经验，以及 (b) 现有和需要与这些学生相关的政策和实践。根据调查结果，大多数人描述了有心理健康问题的学生所遇到的问题；学校以多种方式处理与心理健康相关的问题；大多数人说这些学生是在支持下毕业的；大约一半表示学生因心理健康问题而被解雇；破坏性行为、缺勤和边界问题是关键挑战；并且某些程序的做法可能违反联邦法规。学生咨询、法律咨询以及与残疾资源中心的关系是理想的资源。影响包括对与社会工作的社会正义任务、联邦法律和我们的把关责任相一致的政策的考虑。边界问题是主要挑战；并且某些程序的做法可能违反联邦法规。学生咨询、法律咨询以及与残疾资源中心的关系是理想的资源。影响包括对与社会工作的社会正义任务、联邦法律和我们的把关责任相一致的政策的考虑。边界问题是主要挑战；并且某些程序的做法可能违反联邦法规。学生咨询、法律咨询以及与残疾资源中心的关系是理想的资源。影响包括对与社会工作的社会正义任务、联邦法律和我们的把关责任相一致的政策的考虑。