Why social workers are vital for mental health services

Lyn Romeo, Think Ahead Trustee and former Chief Social Worker for Adults, explains why social workers are vital for mental health services and supports our #SocialWorkMatters campaign – to ensure that everyone with severe mental illness has access to a mental health social worker.

Nation’s mental health crisis

At this year’s British Association of Social Work conference, I had the privilege of chairing a session focused on the essential role of social workers in mental health services.

It was an important discussion, and it underscored a clear and urgent truth: our nation’s mental health is at crisis point – and social workers are a vital part of the solution.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Social determinants

Mental health is not just a medical issue; it is deeply connected to social factors like poverty, housing, unemployment, trauma, and relationships.

Yet mental health services too often prioritise clinical approaches while overlooking these social determinants.

This is where mental health social workers make a unique and transformative impact.

They help people navigate complex systems, protect their rights, and address real-world barriers affecting wellbeing.

Working alongside clinical teams, they bring a broader, holistic perspective centred on the individual’s whole life, not just their diagnosis.

Social work matters

Despite their vital role, mental health social workers remain underrepresented and undervalued, comprising just 2% of the mental health workforce.

Alarmingly, roles are disappearing in some areas due to budget pressures – at a time when more social work, not less, is urgently needed.

That’s why I support Think Ahead’s recommendation to increase the number of mental health social workers to 24,000 over the next decade.

This investment, representing less than 1% of the NHS’s current mental health budget, would reduce pressure on services, improve outcomes, and help more people live well in their communities.

Social workers bring professional expertise, compassion, and a deep commitment to social justice.

To meet today’s mental health challenges, their contribution must be recognised, properly resourced, and expanded.

Future of mental health services

We are now at a crucial moment. The government’s upcoming workforce plan offers an important opportunity to make a clear statement about the future of mental health services.

While the 10-year health plan sets ambitious goals for shifting towards preventative care, this vision requires concrete investment in the workforce.

Prioritising mental health social workers in the upcoming workforce plan would demonstrate a serious commitment to addressing the social complexities of mental illness and improving outcomes for people and communities alike.

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We are campaigning for 24,000 more mental health social workers to be added to the mental health workforce, so everyone with mental health needs has access to a social worker.