Human services
Human Services
Human Services (pronounced: hyoo-muh n sur-visiz) is a multi-disciplinary field that involves the study of social technologies (practice methods, models, and theories), service technologies (programs, organizations, and systems), and scientific innovations that are designed to ameliorate problems and enhance the quality of life of individuals, families and communities to improve the delivery of service with better coordination, accessibility and accountability. The process involves working with clients who are experiencing various problems such as poverty, addiction, abuse, unemployment, educational problems, disability, trauma, and mental illness.
Etymology
The term "Human Services" was first used to refer to the broad range of services that human beings require to function healthily in society. It is a relatively modern term, with usage dating back to the mid-20th century. The term is often used interchangeably with "social services," although the latter can also refer to services provided by government.
Related Terms
- Social Work: A profession concerned with helping individuals, families, groups and communities to enhance their individual and collective well-being. It aims to help people develop their skills and their ability to use their own resources and those of the community to resolve problems.
- Counseling: A professional relationship that empowers diverse individuals, families, and groups to accomplish mental health, wellness, education, and career goals.
- Psychology: The scientific study of the human mind and its functions, especially those affecting behavior in a given context.
- Public Health: The science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting human health through organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals.
- Community Development: A process where community members come together to take collective action and generate solutions to common problems.
- Mental Health: A level of psychological well-being, or an absence of mental illness. It is the "psychological state of someone who is functioning at a satisfactory level of emotional and behavioral adjustment".
- Addiction: A brain disorder characterized by compulsive engagement in rewarding stimuli despite adverse consequences.
- Poverty: A state or condition in which a person or community lacks the financial resources and essentials for a minimum standard of living.
- Unemployment: The state of being without a paid job but available to work.
- Disability: Any condition of the body or mind (impairment) that makes it more difficult for the person with the condition to do certain activities (activity limitation) and interact with the world around them (participation restrictions).
- Trauma: A type of damage to the mind that occurs as a result of a distressing event.
- Mental Illness: A wide range of mental health conditions — disorders that affect your mood, thinking and behavior.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Human services
- Wikipedia's article - Human services
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