New mental health centre to open

The School of Social Work at the University of British Columbia's Okanagan campus will break new ground next year when it opens a mental health centre on campus.

In 2012, in partnership with the Department of Psychology and School of Nursing, the school will open a mental-health treatment and training clinic on campus. This will be the only school of social work in Canada offering student education within a self-contained clinic.

The program also has a funded research centre for the study of children and families. This program is focused on improving best practice methods in underserved and diverse communities. Selected students will have an opportunity to participate in child and family welfare research.

The school provides all students the opportunity to integrate academic classroom education with practical supervised professional work within community agencies, clinics, and other helping organizations.

Because it is a professional academic program, students must apply and be accepted and admission into the undergraduate or graduate program is not automatic.

Undergraduate students successfully gain employment in community social support agencies, criminal probation work, health and mental health programs, and child welfare. The graduate program is primarily focused on helping students gain a foundation for working in mental health, health and other clinical leadership positions.

The school emphasizes the values of diversity, respect, integrity and justice and promotes social well-being, change, healing and growth at multiple levels. The school is accredited by the Canadian Association for Social Work Education.

“The School of Social Work is committed to fostering the integration of varied and diverse theoretical perspectives which contribute to holding central the dynamic interplay between individuals and their environments. Recognition is given to the impact of harmful and oppressive environments, our interdependence and the human need for caring, loving and sustaining relationships throughout the life course.

“The school also addresses critical social issues integral to the Okanagan region. In particular, we acknowledge the injustices Indigenous peoples have experienced, their strengths and capacities, their contributions to social work knowledge and practice, and their rights to self-determination. Undergraduate and graduate programs advance the ideals of international, interdisciplinary, and inter-professional education.  The school promotes the values of diversity, creativity, stewardship, leadership and innovation in the teaching-learning process.”

-- Director Edward Taylor

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