National Social Workers Month – 60th Anniversary
March is the 60th anniversary of National Social Work Month, a time to recognize the invaluable role social workers play in patient care and recovery, especially in the mental health field.
Social work is an integrative field. It seeks to improve social functioning and social conditions for people in emotional, psychological, economic, and/or physical need. Social workers can be found in a variety of settings including community agencies, mental health and addiction treatment facilities, hospitals, nursing homes and schools. They help people identify and cope with a wide range of challenges in life such as mental health problems, adjusting to major life changes, financial hardships, academic performance, and physical illnesses. Social workers assess a client’s situation, set goals and help the person achieve the goals by providing individual counseling or connecting them with services that meet their needs.
Social Workers in the Mental Health Field
According to the National Association of Social Workers, 60% of mental health professionals are clinically trained social workers. Silver Hill utilizes social workers in a variety of roles including:
- Inpatient and outpatient treatment (group therapy, individual therapy, intensive outpatient treatment programs)
- Supporting patients and families through the admissions and discharge process
- Educating families about a diagnosis to assist with patient recovery
- Recovery support follow-up services
- Managing volunteer department
- Community relations
- Clinical outreach
On a daily basis our social workers collaborate with our psychiatrists and psychologists to develop and execute individual treatment plans with the goal of improving quality of life for patients.
Finding Help
If you or a family member are struggling with a challenging situation—a health crisis, depression, anxiety, marital problems— it may be time to reach out for help. It’s hard to know where to begin when seeking treatment, but here are a few ways to find a social worker and other mental health professionals to help you restore your quality of life:
- Talk to trusted friends, family, or clergy about professionals they may know
- Ask another health care provider, such as a family doctor, for a recommendation
- Ask your health insurance company for a mental health provider list
- Use a referral service from a national professional organization for therapists
- Contact a local or national mental health organization or national medical society