Contested Landscape

Abstract

Within the context of managed care, contemporary social work practice in mental health settings often emphasizes DSM IV diagnosis. However, social work needs alternative practice constructions that provide a dialogue of contest and are more consistent with the social justice mission of the profession. This paper explores several contemporary postmodern practice approaches grounded in human rights, that in the aggregate contribute to a different paradigm. It also addresses the importance of critical dialogical processes within these practice models and among colleagues to facilitate change. It calls for social workers to engage in contesting the landscape of mental health practice in order to reclaim and relocate social work's mission.

Key Words:

• Mental health
• critical dialogue
• social justice
• human rights
• postmodern perspectives