Mental Health Research + Poster/Flyer Presentation
Part 1
Hot Topic Paper
The purpose of this assignment is to familiarize you with critical issues and ethical
concerns in the mental health field especially as those pertain to social work, social
justice, equity, human rights, and diagnoses using the DSM-5. You will write an 8 -10-page paper on your own in APA format. The total number of pages will include a title page, body of the paper, and a reference page; you will not submit an abstract. The focus of the paper will be on a new, controversial, or otherwise innovative approved topic concerning a particular diagnosis and relevant “Hot Topic” issues surrounding that diagnosis. You will minimize any overlap with information already covered in this course through the books, articles, activities, or lecturesprovided. The paper must be based on at least ten (10) recent (in the past 10 years) relevant sources; five (5) sources must be scholarly, peer-reviewed journal articles (not just abstracts).
A “Hot Topic” is any new or controversial issue that social workers, psychologists,
counselors, etc. are currently discussing and/or debating and, in this case, related to a
specific diagnosis or diagnostic category. A potential list of such topics is given below
though you are not limited by the list.
Definition and description of chosen diagnosis: This section should make up less than half of the paper. The remainder of the paper should be devoted to
the “hot topic”.
a. Definition: How does the DSM-5 describe the particular diagnosis? Has
this changed from previous versions of the DSM? Are there alternative
definitions in the literature or in the DSM-5 (see page 761 if applicable)?
b. Characteristics of Presenting Behavior/ Primary Symptoms: What are the
major features of this diagnosis?
c. Etiology: What is the cause of this illness/disorder?
d. Prevalence: What are the prevalence rates? Are there differences based on
particular characteristics (culture, gender, age, etc.)?
e. Age of onset
f. Treatment options: Briefly describe major treatment options that are most
commonly used to treat this disorder.
g. Outcome: What is life like for a person living with this diagnosis? What
challenges will they encounter?
2. Clear description of the “Hot Topic” related to this diagnosis.
3. Discussion of the chosen diagnosis in light of the “Hot Topic” research
information.
4. Include a discussion on the implication of your findings in terms of social work
practice.
5. A conclusion/summary of the paper.
6. Reference page/s
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