Session: The Impact of Disability-Specific Curricula on Social Work Students' Attitudes and Mental Health Care Access Through a Disability Justice Lens
Mental Health Care Access Through a Disability Justice Lens: Implications for Social Work Education
A study of 1,919 individuals with disabilities revealed significant barriers to access to mental health care, with 32.2% reporting unmet needs. Financial constraints and healthcare discrimination emerged as primary obstacles. The findings emphasize the need for policy reforms and social workers’ advocacy roles to address systemic disparities in disability justice.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this session, attendees should be able to:
Identify the key barriers to mental health care access for people with disabilities, including financial constraints, lack of insurance, and provider discrimination.
Analyze the impact of these barriers using statistical evidence from chi-square tests, t-tests, and logistic regression, emphasizing their significance for social work practice and policy.
Apply disability justice principles to advocate for equitable mental healthcare policies, including expanding insurance coverage, reducing cost-related barriers, and addressing discrimination in healthcare settings.
