title: Conflict and detente between social issues and clinical practice.
abstract: The "dual nature" of the mental health profession--embodied in the differences between advocates of social and clinical approaches to people's problems--is considered. It is suggested that the situation reflects realities of the world we live in, and that it contains both dilemma and opportunity. Areas in which social advocacy and clinical expertise have complemented each other are illustrated, and possibilities for constructive and creative conflict are suggested.
mesh_terms: D002649:Child Abuse; D003156:Community Mental Health Services; D003256:Community Participation; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D005380:Financing, Government; D006280:Health Workforce; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008603:Mental Health; D008913:Minority Groups; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000150:complications; D011570:Psychiatry; D012109:Research Support as Topic; D012649:Self Concept; D012924:Social Conditions; D012940:Social Problems; D012949:Social Work, Psychiatric; D013315:Stress, Psychological