THE ROLE OF SOCIAL WORK IN MENTAL HEALTH IN TURKEY: THE QUIET POWER OF AN EMERGING DISCIPLINE

Authors : Zeynep Sezen Koçyiğit

Pages : 25-42

Doi:10.54467/trjasw.1691021

View : 218 | Download : 75

Publication Date : 2025-06-30

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Abstract  This study, which aims to examine the role of social work specialists in the field of mental health in Turkey, comprehensively addresses the structure of mental health services, the duties and responsibilities of social work specialists, interdisciplinary cooperation, and the challenges encountered in the field. A comprehensive literature review was conducted as a qualitative research method; current studies, reports, and national strategy documents accessible through databases such as TR Dizin, Google Scholar, DergiPark, and YÖK Thesis Center were examined. Turkish academic publications between 2010 and 2024 and full-text accessibility were used as criteria for literature selection.  The findings reveal that mental health services in Turkey have been provided primarily in hospitals for a long time; however, community-based approaches have gained importance since the early 2000s. With the spread of structures such as Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs), the roles of social work specialists in the field have become more defined; they have been found to be actively involved in areas such as case management, psychosocial support, family work, and post-discharge follow-up services. However, deficiencies in job descriptions, staff shortages, lack of specialization in training processes, and role conflicts in interdisciplinary teams have been identified as the main structural problems limiting the effectiveness of social workers in the field. Furthermore, international comparisons have revealed that the role of social workers in Turkey is still in its developmental stage compared to their counterparts in countries such as the US and the UK.  The results indicate that the unique contribution of the social work discipline to the field of mental health needs to be more systematically recognized and strengthened. It is of critical importance that social work professionals are seen not only as supportive actors but also as designers and implementers of comprehensive interventions in mental health services, both for strengthening individual well-being and ensuring the sustainability of community-based mental health services.
Keywords : sosyal hizmet, ruh sağlığı, Toplum Ruh Sağlığı Merkezi (TRSM), toplum temelli hizmetler, Türkiye’de ruh sağlığı hizmetleri

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