Are you emotionally strong enough to deal with traumatized children? Do you devote your free time to community service? If yes, then social work can be an option for you too. It is an emerging profession, and employment in it has grown since the world was struck by Covid 19. The lockdown took a toll on our mental health; some of us were stuck in toxic households. Hence, the need for therapy increased. This is just one example of how by doing social work, you make a difference. Since the beginning of time, social workers have contributed to various fields, and some examples are mentioned below.
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1. Schools
Social work in schools has helped shape a new field. They provide group counseling, therapy, behavioral support, consultation with teachers. High school students suffer from anxiety and stress as workload increases. These testing times lead to deteriorating mental health. In such times, social workers address the mental health concerns of students. Bullying leads to low self-esteem and poor confidence levels in students. In most cases, they do not know who to approach, and that’s where social workers come to help.
2. Hospitals
Social workers work in close liaison with patients. They provide help to those suffering from a chronic health condition to gain access to public resources such as Medicare. Hospitalizations lead to increased stress, anxiety, and depression. In this case, social workers also provide help.
By helping people, you will touch lives which is a feeling like no other. If you are thinking of a career change to social work, you can get a relevant degree like a master in social work by getting an online master’s of social work from various schools; one of them is the University of Central Florida. All you need to do is sign up for their program without worrying about clashes with your work schedule.
3. Shelters
The most important invention by social workers is the building of shelters to help abused people. 1 in 3 women has experienced domestic abuse. With the lockdown, the number of abused women has grown drastically. Most women choose to stay in abused marriages because they have no other place to go. Some have been brainwashed into thinking that they deserve a life where they are not respected. In such cases, social workers arrange for them to get into domestic shelters. If they are unemployed, social workers also arrange employment, and if children are involved, they can also get help to gain custody. Helping someone who has been through domestic violence has to be the most satisfying aspect of being a social worker.
4. Substance Abuse Problems
Our society gives little room to people for mistakes. One wrong step and turning back is made almost impossible. People living below the poverty line usually go into dealing drugs for a living. If they are looking for a way out, social workers are there to help. They help users get into rehabilitation centers. Not only this, but they also connect clients to other resources. For instance, those living below the poverty line are referred to human service programs, food banks, etc.
5. Mental Health Clinic
Psychiatric social workers work in mental health clinics to attend to people with high needs or those experiencing intense psychological distress. If you are a psychiatric social worker, you will also provide therapy and be in touch with the patient’s family. Therapy is more than just talking. You might have to use reprocessing with young trauma survivors if you are working with juveniles.
6. Policymaking
Social workers have recognized the importance of policies and their role in protecting their clients from harassment, bullying, racism, discrimination, and eventually bettering their lives. Hence, they have engaged in policy practice by introducing new legislation and development schemes. The first step of policymaking is to identify issues.
7. Human Rights Education
Social workers enter this field to teach on a global level not specific to a particular school or university. The main idea behind this is to help individuals thrust into destitution participate as citizens. If you want to be a human rights educator, you will have the opportunity to promote peace, equality, tolerance, justice amongst individuals in a peaceful manner.
8. Law
Social work has also influenced this area as there are workers who study the justice system and its effect on social work. They have started keeping a good knowledge of the laws concerned to their area of social work and are becoming more involved in their client’s lawsuits. Many of them are involved in legal systems such as child protection, mental health, and criminal justice.
Social work is a noble profession that has influenced several other fields. It demands qualified and dedicated workers. Social workers have the opportunity to do meaningful work and change lives.
