There is now a mix of therapies available to help those living with a mental disorder, rather than forcing them into an asylum and labeling them as ‘crazy’. Some new methods of treatment include many drug therapies, cognitive therapy, behavioral therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and facilitation from social workers. Cognitive behavioral therapy proves to be highly effective for those with mental disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy may involve a number of methods, such as discovering the root of the negative thinking that accompanies so many mental disorders. With the root of negative thinking exposed, therapists then work with those in need to change thinking patterns and work towards a positive outlook and more control over their symptoms.
Social workers may work to facilitate empowerment for those have been left weakened by our broken mental health system. A social worker in this field of work may work from a number of perspectives in treatment. One particular perspective that comes to mind is the strength’s perspective, which believes that everyone has strengths or assets and focuses on the strengths while allowing users to decide what is best for them. In fact, the strengths perspective is a part of the mental health recovery born out of the psychiatric survivor movement which is now a policy which states that involved in mental health recovery must attend a support group. The focus is to learn to live with your illness rather than finding a cure.
Unfortunately, although much progress has been made in the treatment of those suffering from a mental disorder, stigma and discrimination is still apparent. The problem with drug therapies as a cure; is it does not help people learn to cope with their illness; it simply masks the symptoms to make the illness tolerable, as well as risk of addiction. Although cognitive behavioral therapy helps the person themselves to live with the disorder, it does not eliminate the stereotype or stigma that is attached to the idea of having a mental disorder, in the same way inferiority is attached to anyone who is not a white, straight male. The strengths perspective also has its down falls; the government’s focus on saving money may cause the removal of mental health programs, housing and other resources, while people are forced to recover.
