7 Mental health social work in Northern Ireland

This chapter examines the context, development and possible future directions of mental health social work in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland which are two separate jurisdictions. The authors are members of an All-Ireland mental health social work network, and will draw on their knowledge and experiences as qualified social workers and as academics with an interest in mental health. The chapter begins by detailing the law and policy contexts of each jurisdiction. This includes an examination of the recently developed mental health strategies with a focus on social work. The development of mental health social work is explored, focusing on how social work in a mental health context has been influenced by historical, political, cultural and organisational factors across the island of Ireland. Discussion then explores models of service provision and the social work role therein. A review of two current practice issues, the wellbeing of the social work workforce and the role of digitisation in mental health services, across each jurisdiction is provided. The chapter concludes by reflecting upon the unique opportunity for enhanced collaboration between mental health services in each jurisdiction in the context of the recent support for shared All-Ireland initiatives. These are aimed at supporting mutual understandings between all communities and cultures located across the island. The role of the All-Ireland mental health social work network will be discussed with consideration of the value of greater alignment and integration of approaches on the island of Ireland and internationally.