New biological findings, major shifts in family intervention models, the failure of the deinstitutionlization movement to provide humane quality care for the mentally ill and shrinking community-based resources all suggest the need for vigorous social work leadership in the metal health field of practice. Such leadership can only emerge from a social work student body sparked to engage in, grapple with and reframe mental health practice for the future. The field instruction relationship nurtures this spark. This chapter will highlight the challenges and obstacles to teaching in the current psychiatric climate.