In this course, students will examine policy, theory, research and practice issues related to mental health and disabilities across the life span.  The course focuses on problem definition and service provision in mental health settings within the context of social policies and practices, including the multiple roles social workers take across settings when working with people with acute or severe and persistent mental health problems. Central to this course will be an understanding, from a trauma-informed, human rights perspective, of historical policy formations at national, regional and local levels, particularly as they influence current practice realities.  Students will examine multiple levels of response to deterioration in mental health and adaptive abilities.  Students will be provided with evidence-based knowledge and skills associated with direct practice and critical advocacy roles to ensure access to services, reasonable accommodations, and legal remedies related to discrimination, oppression, and human rights violations for those with mental health disabilities.  The effect of social location and situation will be examined as they relate to access to mental health services.  This advanced year course will provide students with the knowledge and skills to be effective as practitioners in a variety of micro, mezzo or macro mental health practice realities.