International Conference 2024 | Beyond Stigma - Social Work Practice and Substance Use

The 10th International Conference on Social Work in Health and Mental Health (ICSWHMH) was held in November 2024 in Melbourne. This significant event in successfully brought together social work professionals, researchers, educators, and students from around the world to discuss and share the latest developments in the field of social work in health and mental health.

Recording 1

“REACH Is My Family”: Harm Reduction Social Work Practice In An Urban Primary Care Setting

Presenter: Mr Giorgio Handman (USA)

The session will provide participants with a comprehensive overview of the social worker role as part of an interdisciplinary harm reduction addiction medicine program based within a large urban hospital in New York City. The session will focus on the relational aspects of social work and how to provide care and support for individuals navigating substance use that centers respect, present moment awareness, and unconditional positive regard. Participants will be familiarized with a broad range of interventions for people who use drugs and provided with a framework on how to develop rapport and engage clients in a way that supports self-determination, positive change, and healing.

Recording 2

What is the Problem with Women, Alcohol, and Mental Health in Western Australia?

Presenters: Dr Norah Hosken (Australia, WA)

This presentation draws on personal experiences within the hospital setting to illuminate treatment challenges related to alcohol use and mental health. It offers a critical analysis of current policy approaches, highlighting their predominantly individualistic focus, and examines the implications for discrimination and systemic harm. The presentation calls for policy reform that centres structural and social conditions, with the aim of promoting more equitable and effective responses within health and social care systems.

Recording 3

The Nīkau Practice Framework: A Focused Framework for Social Work Practice With Substance Use

Presenters: Dr Anna Nelson (New Zealand)

The Nīkau Practice Framework is a focused framework for social work practice with substance use and was developed as part of Dr Nelson’s PhD research. Using the Delphi method to bring a group of experts to consensus on the skills, knowledge, values and attributes required for generalist social work with substance use, this presentation will be especially useful for social work educators who are looking to integrate and embed substance use knowledge and skills into qualifying social work programmes. The session will also be useful for all frontline social workers and leaders seeking to better understand how they can strengthen practice with people using substances.

Recording 4

Integrating a Specialty Clinic for Substance Abuse Disorders in an Urban OB/GYN Clinic Setting

Presenters: Ms Laudy Burgos (USA)

Pregnancy can be a time of happiness and motivation but, for birthing parents struggling with a SUD, it can be challenging. Stigma, shame, and the potential legal consequences present obstacles to individuals seeking the care they need. Good medical care and psychosocial support are needed to address the individual’s pregnancy and addiction issues. By integrating substance misuse treatment services in their prenatal care, providers facilitate timely access to care. At Mount Sinai Medical Center in NYC, the Bridge clinic offers a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to support pregnant individuals with SUD. Interventions include support, education, case management, and mental health counseling. By providing optimal prenatal care early on, pregnant individuals with SUD can receive the care that they need so that they can achieve medical and psychological stability once their baby is born, which ultimately has better outcomes for the individual and child’s health and wellbeing.

Recording 5

Improving FASD Prevention Can’t Wait: The Health Social Work Role in Reducing Stigma for Mothers With Alcohol Dependence

Presenters: Dr Susan Evans (Australia, NSW)

Better practice with families living with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is an important arena for social work; with ability to educate, reduce stigma, and improve access to supports. In Australia stigma placed on birth mothers of children with prenatal alcohol exposure is a major barrier to the goals of FASD prevention and family support. Currently, people with FASD and families report feeling misunderstood by health and welfare providers, who in turn are not educated or equipped to respond.

This presentation reports on a research project collaborating with child and health clinicians in the Northern Sydney Health District to investigate the preparedness of workers to identify and respond to suspected FASD presentations.Through survey and interviews the research team learned what clinicians know, understand, and already do in response to FASD. Key challenges and more effective strategies to engage with birth mothers and family members of children with FASD in health settings are a focus in this presentation.