Book excerpt: Increase the effectiveness of the services you provide to clients Social Work Visions from Around the Globe examines the fundamental principles and dilemmas of social work with people whose health is under threat. This valuable resource was compiled from material presented at the Third International Conference on Social Work in Health and Mental Health in Tampere, Finland. The book explores key issues in social work in health and mental health, from the early historical roots of social work in health to developing a human rights perspective on the lives of men who face capital punishment. Using tables, figures, case studies, and interviews, the text will help you provide holistic, client-based care to children, men, women, and families. Social Work Visions from Around the Globe is divided into two sections: the first half discusses the position of individuals and families as users of health and mental health care services. Specific cases in the book include social work situations for children with disabilities, the mentally ill, the elderly, cancer, and HIV/AIDS. This text includes research and findings on the challenges and solutions faced by social workers in North America, Australia, Europe, Asia, and Africa. In the second half, Social Work Visions from Around the Globe focuses on various approaches to social work in health and mental health that address: the diversity of societies strengthening the voice of the social worker and service user the expertise of service users development of methods family life and childhood in global comparison human rights issues in social work