We investigate social problems and their interrelations with health issues based on a robust theoretical foundation and firmly oriented toward practice.
Social work strengthens the social and mental health of individuals and groups. It thus plays a major role in providing persons affected by health burdens and illnesses with professional support. Our institute develops, supervises, and evaluates measures designed to promote psychosocial health. Our key working areas are: fostering mental health; promoting life skills; ensuring persons suffering from illnesses receive professional assistance; social inequality and health; promoting non-smoking behaviour; early detection and early intervention.
Our work is based on Engel’s biopsychosocial model (see Illustration), according to which various factors contribute to promoting health and to preventing illnesses.
Our focus on 'Clinical social work' explores the professional treatment and supervision of persons affected by health burdens. Particular attention is paid to those facing multiple problems in difficult life-situations.
Health does not merely involve the absence of illness. More is required to maintain a healthy life. Health promotion is aimed at health enhancement. It enables individuals to shape their own way of life, to improve their well-being, and to increase their quality of life. Prevention aims to avoid, i.e., reduce the factors influencing health and leading to illnesses.
Addiction is complex. Social work professionals must be able to deal with addiction problems in various fields of work. Institute staff provide specialist knowledge, a broad methodological repertoire, and the skills needed for interdisciplinary collaboration. These are important prerequisites for taking professional action in the field of addiction.
The FHNW School of Social Work attaches great importance to research and development. The Institute for Social Work and Health undertakes commissioned and self-initiated research and development projects. Our work concentrates on exploring the interrelations between social conditions and health:
Promoting mental health
Promoting life skills
Supporting persons with illnesses
Social inequality and health
Promoting non-smoking behaviour
Dealing with addiction problems
Early detection and early intervention
The Institute for Social Work and Health offers the following services:
Talks and presentations
Expert reports
(Field) consultancy
Supervision
Coaching
Concept development
Project development, -management, and -evaluation
Supporting project implementation
Basic training and advanced inhouse training
Seminars
Developing, operating, and evaluating offerings and services
Our services are aimed at organisations in the social-, health-, and educational sectors and at responsible bodies, government authorities, clubs, and associations. Contact us! — Our priority is to tailor projects to your specific needs. We take the greatest care to establish your needs, in order to help you achieve your objectives.
