Social Work Intervention in the Mental Health of Users in Health Institutions in Mexico

Abstract

There is no doubt that Social Work has evolved in theory, methodology and practice in the field of intervention and research. Not only from a disciplinary perspective but also from social demands. The current context is more complex, because it prioritizes aspects for the integral well-being of people. The Covid-19 pandemic has made it clear that mental health care is essential to any person’s development. In health areas, users in crisis situations request biopsychosocial care. In this sense, Social Work is a profession that requires great expertise because, in health institutions, the social worker is the first contact to attend users in times of crisis. This article aims to explore the processes of Social Work intervention in the mental health of users. We worked with qualitative, exploratory, descriptive, non-probabilistic method; intentional and snowball sampling, interviews via Google forms with social workers with years of experience in order to witness the changes in several institutions: Secretary of Health [SSA], the Mexican Institute of Social Security [IMSS]. Among the findings, the importance and need for training and updating of social work in patients’ mental health is highlighted.