Consideration of nutritional intake in holistic mental health service delivery

The study presented in this thesis investigates the extent to which social work clinicians consider nutritional intake when providing holistic mental health services. The study is grounded in a review of professional literature supporting the consideration of nutrition as a component of holistic mental health service delivery. The study's sample included 34 licensed clinical social workers who provide direct mental health services in the Sacramento, California area. The study sought to measure clinicians' beliefs and knowledge regarding the relationship between nutritional intake and mental health, and to explore the participants' clinical practice as it pertains to the consideration of nutritional intake. Study findings revealed that a majority of participating clinicians expressed belief, and had knowledge, that nutritional intake is a contributing factor in the presentation of certain mental health conditions, while a lesser majority reported active consideration of nutritional intake in their mental health practice. In addition, a large majority of participants cited inadequate education and training as a barrier to considering nutritional intake in their mental health practice. In light of these findings, Master of Social Work student researchers Emily Spanko and Nathan Stuckey encourage further research to support the integration of nutrition into the social work scope of practice.