AUSTIN, Texas – March is National Social Work Month, and a rally is set for Thursday on the steps of the Texas State Capitol to highlight the ways social workers help Texans of all ages overcome obstacles and reach their full potential.
Miriam Nisenbaum, executive director of the Texas chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, says many people associate social work with child protective services. But she points to two U.S. senators – Debbie Stabenow (D) of Michigan and Kyrsten Sinema (D) of Arizona – along with a number of House members, who are former social workers.
"Actually, social work is in every fabric of life,” says Nisenbaum. “We are in health care, in hospitals, hospice, home health. We provide services in the schools. We provide services on a policy level; we are legislative and policy directors for elected officials."
It takes years of education to become a professional social worker, and organizers of the rally are also drawing attention to salaries that are far below similar professions, including registered nurses, psychologists and teachers. State officials frequently cite budget limitations for underfunded agencies that hire social workers, including Health and Human Services.
Nisenbaum says most people drawn to the work have made helping others a priority – but they still have bills to pay, and deserve a wage commensurate with their education levels. She also argues that up-front investments in Health and Human Services would end up saving taxpayers money.
"If you can do more health care and preventive services and other programs, you pay a lot less on the front end than to address a massive opioid crisis on the back end, as one example,” says Nisenbaum.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 100,000 additional social workers will be needed in the U.S. in less than a decade to address a host of challenges, including caring for the nation's aging population. For more information about how social workers touch the lives of millions of people, look online at 'socialworkers.org.'
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A new report showed a significant decrease in suicidal ideation, planning and attempts on college campuses around the nation, as well as improved levels of those suffering from anxiety and depression.
The nonprofit Jed Foundation analyzed a decade's worth of data from higher ed institutions participating in their JED Campus program. It provides colleges and universities with resources and guidance to protecting and improving student mental health.
Michelle Mullen, senior vice president and chief design and impact officer for the foundation, said in Utah, 16 institutions took part in the program.
"We work them collaboratively to be able to identify what is already strong and the ways in which we can strengthen it," Mullen explained. "Are there critical pieces that may be missing to be able to enhance mental-health and suicide prevention on campus?"
With more than 18 million students attending colleges and universities every year, Mullen pointed out academic institutions are at the forefront of bringing mental health services to young adults. Her message to academic institutions is to not wait to implement what she calls a "comprehensive approach to mental health."
The group has a list of recommendations, including preventive practices, guidelines for treatment of people at risk of suicide as well as effective postvention efforts.
Mullen noted mental health challenges have risen significantly among young people and contended it is not a surprise when you take into account the multiple stresses and challenges younger adults face, such as what she calls "today's comparison culture," brought on by social media, mass shootings, race and faith-based harassment and threats as well as decreasing protections for LGBTQ+ youths.
"The amazing thing is that we are now seeing results that are coming out of our reports, is that this group is incredibly resilient," Mullen observed. "With the right support and structure, then they do better on campus. So there is hope and there is something we can do."
Mullen added if you or someone you know is struggling, the first step is to reach out to a friend, a family member or a professional for help. She said one can also call 988 to receive free and confidential support for those in distress.
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Alzheimer's disease is the eighth-leading cause of death in Pennsylvania.
A documentary on the topic debuts Saturday in Pittsburgh. "Remember Me: Dementia in the African American Community" features individuals and families who are dealing with memory loss.
C. Nathaniel Brown, founder and CEO of Expected End Entertainment and a former Pittsburgh resident, said his aunt lives with dementia, which sparked his interest in talking with others to find out more about the disease and how it affects communities of color.
"The first thing I found out was that there are over 100 types of dementia," Brown noted. "And the more I learned, the more I realized how much it was impacting the African American community disproportionately. We're twice as likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or some other progressive type of dementia."
The film will be shown at the Carnegie Library in Homewood, from Noon to 3 p.m. ET. It is free, but registration is required. According to the Alzheimer's Association, more than half of Black Americans believe major declines in memory and cognitive function are simply a normal part of aging, rather than symptoms of Alzheimer's or dementia.
Brown added after the screening, there will be a question-and-answer session and community organizations will be there to provide resources.
"Allegheny County Health Department will be present, the University of Pittsburgh Alzheimer's disease Research Center will be there," Brown outlined. "The Dementia Friendly Pennsylvania organization will be there, as well as several people who were interviewed for the film, including counselors, professionals."
He mentioned the documentary features the late Academy Award-winning actor Louis Gossett, Jr. Brown said Gossett emphasized the importance of leaving a legacy by educating people about living with Alzheimer's, steps to take after diagnosis, and preventive measures.
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Boulder and Broomfield County residents can now access mental health services the same way they can access urgent medical care.
Dr. Nadia Haddad, medical director of mental health services with Mental Health Partners, said all too often, people can't get help unless they are already connected with an outpatient provider, and many have months-long waiting lists. She said if people have to wait for care, their situation can get worse, and what might have been a manageable issue can turn into a crisis.
"They are going to the emergency room or going to a psychiatric hospital. And so what we're trying to do is fill that gap so that people can get connected with services when they need it, on a walk-in basis," she said.
Mental Health Partners, a community mental health center serving Boulder and Broomfield counties for 60 years, recently launched UrgentPsych Mental Health and Substance Use Urgent Care. The walk-in program provides immediate, in-person support for urgent mental health and substance use needs for anyone, regardless of their ability to pay, whether or not they are an existing client, or speak English. For more information about the 24-hour facility in northeast Boulder, call 303-443-8500.
Mental Health Partners' new Intensive Family Services program provides in-home therapy for K through 12 youth with disruptive behaviors who are at risk of being placed in foster care or the juvenile justice system. The urgent care facility is also available to people of all ages.
"That's another really challenging part of seeking out services. Care for children and adolescents is often even more challenging to find. There are fewer child psychiatrists out there," she said.
Both new programs were created in part to get people the services they need to avoid hospitalization. But Haddad said when people do reach a point where they need 24/7 monitoring and daily visits from a medical provider, it is essential that people can access hospital-level care.
"The vast majority of people who are dealing with mental health-related issues do not require hospitalization. If we can change people's trajectories earlier, we can prevent mental suffering, and they may not have to go through the hospital," she explained.
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