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Preventive Psychiatric Social Work.
The Psychiatric Social Worker has been encouraged to devote an ever increasing part
of her work to mental health problems arising out of social and relationship difficulties
in the family circle. If problems of this kind are brought to her notice at an early stage,
breakdowns of a more serious nature needing psychiatric treatment, might be prevented.
In 1955, the Psychiatric Social Worker gave an outline of this side of her work to the
Health Visitors which enabled them to refer suitable cases earlier than they would otherwise
have done.
Cases referred by Health Visitors.
In most of these cases satisfactory relationships have already been established between
the Health Visitors and the families. The Psychiatric Social Worker assists by discussing
with the Health Visitors the handling of difficult emotional problems between, for instance,
husband and wife, mother and child, family and in-laws.
Cases referred by School Medical Officers.
Most of these cases are dealt with by the Psychiatric Social Worker who, in trying to
help a mother with her difficulty in handling her child may render the referral of the child
to a Child Guidance Clinic unnecessary, or by supplying a full history of the disturbed
relationship, bring the problem to the early notice of a child psychiatrist.
Case conferences between the referring agencies and the Psychiatric Social Worker were
held when necessary, and where there were medical problems, the cases were referred to the
medical officer concerned.
Referrals from General Practitioners.
Very few cases of the above type have as yet been referred to the Psychiatric Social
Worker by the general practitioners. The Psychiatric Social Worker, as well as the Health
Visitors, have made it their duty to report to the family doctor about most of these cases.
It is hoped that a closer link between the General Practitioners and this service will
be established in course of time.