Social Work Practice in Mental Health: An Introduction

By Gabrielle Drake, John Drayton, Robert Bland

This fourth edition of Social Work Practice in Mental Health builds on the underpinning principles of the previous editions whilst reflecting how the context for practice has steadily evolved.

Organised into two parts and 11 chapters, the book focuses on recovery theory, the importance of relationships, and an examination of the social context and consequences of illness. It explores the perspectives of consumers and family carers in shaping practice, together with a focus on key skills such as risk assessments, working in a multidisciplinary team, working with trauma, working within a legal framework, and spirituality in practice. The book maintains the key theme from previous editions of valuing lived experience, with new content on the NDIS program and its extension to cover people with serious mental health illness, further detailed analysis of trauma, working with individuals, and targeted mental health interventions in community settings.

Featuring numerous vignettes and illustrations from practice, this book is both essential reading for social work students and an invaluable resource for practitioners in the fields of social work and mental health.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1032980451
• ISBN13: 9781032980454
• Release Date: September 2026
• Publisher: Routledge
• Length: 282 Pages