This paper is about people with mental disorders with an emphasis on the legal framework that protects and promotes their rights and the role of social workers in working with people with mental disorders as users of social services and support, but also in working with their families and the community. The main goal of this paper is to point out the importance of respecting and improving the legal framework related to people with mental disorders, as well as to refer to the institutional and extra-institutional activities of social workers - experts who are important in the process of realizing social rights and services, support during treatment and rehabilitation of people with mental disorders. The paper consists of six parts. In the introduction of the paper, the growing problems of mental health in society will be pointed out. Also, for a better understanding of the topic, mental disorders and social psychiatry will be defined as an important concept for a multidisciplinary approach to people with mental disorders. To understand the complex position of people with mental disorders in society it is important to mention their socioeconomic status and perception of society. The chapter analysis of the legal framework will describe the most important international and Croatian laws dealing with a wider group of people with disabilities, as well as laws specific and adapted to people with mental disorders. Furthermore, social work with people with mental disorders is important for them, but also for their families, and contains certain specificities in the work that will also be described. Social work is a helping profession in which stressful situations are almost inevitable, so it is important to know how to recognize stress, reduce it or prevent it. The paper ends with a conclusion that expresses the basic knowledge from the studied literature and recommendations for further research in this area.