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Posts Tagged ‘
families ’
Case managers help provide an array of services to help individuals and families cope with complicated situations in the most effective way possible, thereby achieving a better quality of life. They help people to identify their goals, needs, and resources. From that assessment, the case manager and the client—whether an individual or a family—together formulate a plan to meet those goals. The case manager helps clients to find resources and facilitates connection with services. Sometimes she or he advocates on behalf of a client to obtain needed services. The case manager also maintains communication with the client to evaluate whether the plan is effective in meeting the client's goals.
This sounds good, but I'm not sure about the term case manager. Do case managers really manage people? I don't want to lose control, and I'm not a case.
Excellent question. A good case manager will work with you to determine what is important to you and what you think would be the most effective way to reach those goals. Case managers don't manage people—they help people to manage complicated situations. Simply put, they help to keep you, or your loved ones, at the center of services being provided on your behalf.
Care management and care coordination are two other terms sometimes used to describe this work. Different organizations and individuals define these terms in different ways; for example, professionals providing services to older adults often call themselves geriatric care managers. (Click here to read an article about geriatric care managers.) The terms case management and case manager are used in this article for the sake of simplicity, but the information also applies to care management and care coordination.
Case managers work in a variety of specialties, including health care, mental health care, addictions, long-term care, aging, HIV/AIDS, disabilities, occupational services, child welfare, and immigrant/refugee services. They are employed in the public, nonprofit, and for-profit sectors.
Case managers come from a variety of professional backgrounds and disciplines—including social work, nursing, gerontology, to name a few. They need to understand how to both work with individuals and families and navigate complicated service systems. Social workers, who are trained to help people in the context of their unique social environments, are distinctly prepared to offer case management services. In fact, the social work profession grew out of early case management work in the early 20th century, and social workers have remained active in case management since that time.
Certification is available in case management and specialty areas of practice, such as gerontology. Knowing a case manager is certified can help you to feel confident that you are working with a skilled, well-trained professional. (Click here for information about NASW's certifications in case management and other specialties.) Some workplaces require certification, but others do not. Social work case managers should have either a bachelor's or a master's degree in social work. Depending on the state, they may also be required to have a social work license.
People coping with complex situations—either their own or of someone close to them—such as physical illness, disabilities of any sort, the aging process, emotional or psychological challenges, family problems, addictive behavior, problems with school or work—may benefit from case management services. Seeking help is a sign of strength and may benefit both you and your loved ones.
It depends on your situation. Commercial health insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, or Tricare may pay for case management services delivered within some settings, such as hospitals, rehabilitation, or long-term care settings. In nonprofit or government agencies, case management services may be available on a sliding scale basis or even offered free of charge to eligible consumers. On the other hand, geriatric care management is generally not covered by public insurance or commercial health insurance. Some long-term care insurance policies may cover geriatric care management, and some nonprofits or public agencies may offer it on a sliding-scale basis; otherwise, it tends to be a private-pay service.
Again, this depends on your situation. If you are hospitalized or dealing with a system such as workers' compensation, you may be linked automatically with a case manager. Don't hesitate to ask if you are unsure. Otherwise, your health care provider, school, employee assistance program, or community service agency may be able to refer you. Local departments of aging and disabilities, health, and social services frequently offer case management services or may be able to refer you to case management agencies or professionals. You may also want to check with one of the professional organizations representing case managers.
Licensed social workers who provide case management services are listed in the National Social Worker Finder. Search by specialty area, such as aging; then click on an individual provider from the listing and look for case management under theoretical approach.
Regardless of whether you personally select a case manager or are paired with one you did not choose, it is essential that you feel comfortable with her or his approach. Don't be afraid to assert your needs, perceptions, and goals. Case management should always involve, and directly benefit, you or your loved ones.
This is an important topic receiving increased attention in the media. A transition of care takes place when people move between care settings—such as when a person leaves the hospital and returns home or goes to a rehabilitation facility—or care providers (such as physicians and other members of the care team, or agencies involved with the same client or family). Care transitions also occur when a person's condition or situation changes. For example, a person with a serious physical or mental illness may have a relapse, or a child may leave a foster home and return to her or his family. Lack of coordination during care transitions is, unfortunately, quite frequent and can be disastrous for everyone involved. Failure to transfer important information and medication errors are two examples of common problems that occur during care transitions.
Case managers, and social workers in general, are integral to successful transitions of care. They help to facilitate communication among everyone involved, including you and your loved ones.
Recognizing the importance of care transitions, NASW has been actively involved in efforts to ensure better care transitions for people receiving health and behavioral health care. As a member of the National Transitions of Care Coalition (NTOCC), NASW is developing resources to educate other professionals, the public, and policymakers about this crucial issue. For more information, please visit www.ntocc.org
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Tags: advocate, assessment, Case manager, cases, client, families, managers, needs, services
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About |
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Sally had been a soldier's wife for all twelve years of their marriage. She endured separations while her husband, Tom, was called to duty, and she toughed out raising twin boys alone. Sally said Tom loved her because, in his words, she was a "team player." But ever since Sally learned that Tom was killed in a roadside bomb in Iraq, Sally doubts whether she can be a team of one. "I'm really not that strong," Sally said. "It's just a good act."
When Rolanda was shot out of her helicopter, her husband Ray said he had no choice but to "pull himself together." He had to focus on his job and raising his stepdaughter. "I only cry at night, and then only for a second or two. We were practically newlyweds. I don't even know what I'll be missing."
"At least the kids are grown." It was the first thing that came to Linda's mind when she heard that her husband was killed in an ambush. But the relief was short—depression set in, and Linda felt "ashamed" for falling apart.
These stories provide a glimpse into the plight of many of the American families of downed warriors in Iraq. Each family's grief is unique, but most share issues that are familiar to mental health professionals–adjustment, loss, grief, and anger.
Some families rely on friends, the Armed Forces community, and supportive family for help. But one of the issues that many (certainly not all) of these families also share is their reluctance to use the mental health services available to them.
Why? What makes providing counseling to these families so different from non-military families in mourning? And how can mental health professionals serve these families' needs?
Let's start with learning a little more about some of these families. Bear in mind, that there are many reactions to the loss of a family member and that not all families of downed warriors react the same. Yet, a constellation of beliefs, fears and adjustment issues does exist amongst many of these families, and it is important to become familiar with them.
At first, it seems that the most common issues of military families do not differ from the problems of families not in the military. People are people, as some say. After all, humans share common problems. Yet, military families often add elements to these issues that are unique to them.
Many families worry about being seen in counselors' halls and waiting rooms and about being judged and "found out." They also worry about confidentiality. They believe that no matter what the organization, if it's affiliated with the armed forces, it will keep records that could easily be shared with other branches and departments.
Non-military families may have similar feelings, but military families carry with them an extra dose of shame of being "found flawed." They also say they "have had it" with the power of military and government rules. They long for privacy, and they have far higher doubts that their insurance can protect them.
When the emotional and behavioral problems become too great, families might reach out to the mental health services of their insurance plans. Many families experience uneven quality of services, problems of continuity of care, restrictions on the number of mental health sessions or lack of freedom to choose they want.
Yet, non-military families experience these same issues. The difference is what one of my clients called "reaching the end of her rope" with her insurance. These families have higher expectations of the quality of their care. They believe that serving and sacrificing for their country permits them better treatment.
These families feel hurt and disrespected. When these feelings become too painful, the families often avoid seeking help.
The latest information about the unacceptable quality at Walter Reed Veterans Hospital reinforces their lack of trust in all services. However, there are many excellent Veterans Administration hospitals. When frustration peaks, it is easy to toss all hospitals and services into the "not good" pile.
Unfortunately, traveling to a quality Veterans Administration hospital is not easy. Military families may not have the financial ability or the family resources of a grandmother or aunt to assist with child-care. As one of my clients said, the families get "jaded and just give up."
Since these families have now experienced both the anguish of not being able to control their grief reactions and also the shock of seeing what they perceive as a weak and shameful self, their trust in most military mental health services finally erodes. They believe that if they can't trust themselves any longer, then they certainly aren't going to trust the institution that let them down.
Like many American soldiers who fought in Viet Nam, the American soldiers of Iraq and their families risk experiencing negative judgments from the public because of the civil and military difficulties, length of time of the war and loss of lives.
Families often worry about being accepted as well as valued for their patriotic contribution and sacrifice. One wife and mother said, "In the beginning, everyone clamored to wear a 9/11 pin. Now, no one wears one anymore."
Military spouses are usually viewed as hardy, "salt-of-the-earth" type of people who raise resilient children to withstand relocations, absent parents and emotional pain. When the death of a spouse and parent occurs, these families often experience shame in feeling weak, out of control, and emotional.
The comments of one daughter speak for many: "I feel like I'm a disappointment to my father's legacy. He would be furious if he saw me crying and just being a basket case right now."
Military personnel often choose spouses whom they think can manage the anxiety of military life. The spouses often fit along a range from "independent and capable" to "can carry out orders." Imagine, then, the shock when some spouses find that after the death of their husband or wife, their life, household and financial management abilities crumble.
"I thought I had everything under control. I guess I've just been a soldier, not an officer," one wife said. She was fine as long as her husband provided a script, but she faltered at making new decisions.
Like trauma survivors of the Holocaust and childhood sexual abuse, many surviving military spouses and family members describe themselves as "living on two tracks." One track takes them through daily life and the image they present to the world.
But the other track leads to their darker world inside, filled with anxiety, anger and depression. Even worse, some feel like imposters. "If you can fake it, you can make it," becomes their rally call.
Unresolved grief is one the biggest issues that military families report. As a result of their difficulties in handling grief, the families experience several "disconnections" between:
a) what was—and still is—expected of their coping skills,
b) their previous view of themselves as hardy, tough and sturdy,
c) normal grief and adjustment reactions, and
d) their struggle to view these reactions as normal and not weak or shameful. Families often
say things such as "I always saw myself as strong." Shame and confusion replace confidence.
To deal with their grief, families frequently rely on the same ineffective and often damaging coping mechanisms of non-military families. For example, depression, substance abuse or difficulty in working and parenting might occur.
What makes these grief responses of military families so different is that their unique burden of shame of not coping better, disappointment and anger in the quality of their mental health services and lack of perceived national support heightens the emotional intensity, duration, frequency and resistance to changing their ineffective coping tools.
Grief is already a lonely experience. This extra burden makes it even heavier. Soon, the families are caught in a shame-grief-shame cycle that eats away at their ability to change their behavior and negative self-view.
Finally, like many widows and widowers, the spouses often reassess their marriages. For example, wives might discover that they are "relieved" to be out of a bad marriage. Children also may see the deceased parent differently.
The difference in military families is the perceived pressure from the military community to maintain positive views of the deceased partner or parent. For example, serious flaws, such as domestic violence or child abuse might get overlooked. Children may have to work extra hard to conceal their anger at the living parent for having chosen a bad partner.
Military families often flip-flop internally between seeing the truth and glorifying the deceased. The family members sense a heightened taboo against saying anything negative about the deceased and keep secrets about their real feelings.
One of the surviving spouses described the difficulty of "keeping up appearances" that her husband and the father of her children was a "good man." "I don't know who I am anymore," she said. Over time, family tensions increased. The children sensed the lie, and the truth came out only after one of the children arrived at school drunk.
1. Renew your trust in mental health professionals. Try them out—just as you might try out a family physician. Find a person who makes you feel comfortable. Many professionals are willing to speak to you on the phone or provide a free consultation. Some people "Interview" several therapists. Ask openly about their willingness to work with military families. Ask if they have expertise with your specific issue.
2. Rethink your views of seeking help. You deserve to be happy and in charge of your life. Seeking help does not mean you are weak or ineffective. There is no shame in using therapists, pastors and other mental health professionals. In fact, most professionals know that the strong are often the ones most likely to ask for help.
3. Before you go to your appointment, make a list of the topics you want to discuss. Include information such as: a) when the problem began, b) what measures you've taken to solve the problem, c) why you think your efforts didn't work and d) what do you think might work.
4. If you don't like your therapist, speak up about what's not working. Consider trying the therapist for another visit before you select another one. Keep up the momentum of seeking help. If you thought you needed help, follow through on that instinct. Problems sometimes have a way of losing their urgency, but don't let this lull fool you. They tend to crop up again if you don't make effective changes.
5. Contact the Counseling Network of the Special Operations Warrior Foundation Counseling Network., www.specialops.org, a select network of therapists who are providing mental health services for free to families of downed warriors of the Iraq war.
The Warrior Foundation's initial mission was to guarantee college educations to all the children of downed special operations warriors. Over time, however, these families expressed their strong desire to receive counseling from outside their insurance company and the military establishment. Right now, there are over 600 children whose college education will be paid for by the monies that the Foundation raised.
The main office of the Foundation is in Tampa, Florida. Carolyn Becker is the Counseling Director. My husband and I have worked with Carolyn in setting up a free counseling network of volunteer counselors. If you are a family in need of help, you can contact Carolyn Becker at
beckerc@specialops.org
Or you may call Dr. L.B. Wish at 941-363-0505 in Sarasota, Florida or reach her by e-mail at dr.l.b.wish@comcast.net.
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Tags: families, grief, grieving, Iraq, mental health, social worker, veterans, war, widow
Posted in
Issues And Answers |
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Introduction
Divorce can be a very traumatic situation for families. Social workers can be instrumental in helping families get through divorce by supporting them through the grieving process. These highly trained professionals help to empower their clients by encouraging their resiliency skills as opposed to the all too familiar feelings of victimization one typically feels as a result of a divorce. They encourage their clients to process divorce by becoming involved in proactive activities that will promote a healthy adjustment. Reading, going to therapy, joining support groups and taking part in activities that clients enjoy are all part of making the adjustment of divorce easier. Since it’s easy to be self-absorbed while going through divorce, social workers assist clients in making decisions based on the needs of the family system.
Here are ten tips to help families survive a divorce:
- How you handle your divorce will impact your life, so it is imperative to maintain integrity as you consider the implications of your decisions surrounding divorce.
- It is helpful to balance your emotions with your ability to think through the adjustment of divorce.
- Give yourself time to grieve. Grieving is natural. There’s been a death–the death of a relationship.
- Remember that often times you are grieving the death of the “dream of the ideal”. Stay realistic about what you lost.
- Don’t let the lawyers control the divorce process. It’s your divorce and you are in charge.
- Remember, if you have children, you will be in touch with each other for the rest of their lives so when ever possible practice civility.
- Don't rush into dating. When you are vulnerable, your judgment can be impaired.
- When you date, don’t bring the person home to the children right away. Spend some time talking about the person and familiarize your children with your friend. Before exposing your children to an important person in your life, make sure that the person will be an active part of their lives.
- Don’t speak negatively about your ex-spouse to the children.
- Listen to the needs of your body and soul. Eat when you’re hungry, drink when you’re thirsty, rest when you’re tired and exercise to blow off steam or to lift your spirits. Taking care of yourself will give you back that all important feeling of control.
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Tags: divorce, families, Micki McWade, surviving, tips, top ten
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Relationships, Tip Sheets |
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Statistics have shown that the use of alcohol and other drugs is often directly connected to crime, incarcerations, domestic violence, child abuse, and problems related to work. Understandably, the primary focus of treatment and intervention has been on the person who has a problem with substances. However, there are far more people affected than just those persons with alcohol and other drugs problems. Fortunately, more attention is now being given to the serious impact substance misuse has on family members and significant others, who are also greatly impacted by the problem.
Families (including spouses, partners, children, siblings, and others who are connected to someone with a substance use problem) can be affected emotionally, physically, spiritually, and economically. Many family members live in a state of constant fear and uncertainty about what to do. Six skills are summarized below that can be useful to family members and significant others in learning new ways to address substance use problems in the family.
Before reviewing the six skills it is important to note that whether a person with a substance use problem will seek help, stay in recovery, or relapse at some point is impossible to predict, as every individual is unique. Many times when families and significant others seek help first, the person with the substance use problem will follow, although there are no guarantees. Sometimes things can get worse before they get better and it is very important to always address any safety concerns immediately (see Skill #6)
This can be the most difficult idea to understand at first. Sometimes people understand this to mean that we should walk away from our loved one. Actually, detaching yourself from the problem means that you should know that the person who is misusing alcohol or other drugs has the problem, not you. It is very important to understand this.
Many family members have done things that seemed as though they could help, but they actually made it easier for the person to continue misusing substances. Calling in sick for them, bailing them out of jail, etc. can actually make things worse by delaying the substance user from having to address their problem. Limits need to be set to stop doing things that make it easier for a person to continue misusing substances.
As the substance abuser begins to see changes in the other family members, he or she may become irritable, angry, or hostile. By deciding on a position and sticking to it, family members will help the addicted person begin to learn that there is a new way that things are going to be handled. This is good for everybody– the person with the problem and the family. Consistency is essential.
There are many ways to support sobriety – to clearly let the person know that you are there for them in the recovery process. Compliments about positive change, bringing them to or picking them up from Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous meetings, etc., and other support groups, participating in family therapy, and asking the person about their progress, are all examples of ways to support sobriety.
Those working towards recovery must set small goals like "One Day at a Time." The same is true for families. A good goal is a small goal. Indeed families can become very overwhelmed and it is important to step back and set one small goal just for today. For example, instead of setting a goal to attend Al-Anon meetings regularly, set a goal to attend one meeting on a specific day this week. Likewise, instead of a goal to take better care of yourself, set aside a specific amount of time today to go to a park and spend some time walking or sitting quietly.
A person's physical, mental, and/or spiritual health may all be negatively affected when they misuse substances. The same often happens to those who care about that person. Eating properly, getting exercise, taking breaks, and addressing any spiritual needs are all examples of things that family members should do to take care of themselves. Taking care of your personal needs is a must, and this also includes any safety concerns such as domestic violence or child abuse. It is critical that if there is an unsafe situation, you may have to leave the situation immediately or contact law enforcement for assistance to help remove others, such as children, from the unsafe situation.
Researchers have found that when family members are involved and supportive of individuals with substance use problems who are seeking treatment, the likelihood of success is improved. Not only can family members work towards making things better for themselves, but they can increase the chances of the person achieving recovery.
Many times we start to see changes in the person with an addiction history when they enter treatment. Their mood, eating patterns, appearance, or friends may change. They may also reduce or stop going to 12-Step meetings or counseling sessions. These can be the initial signs of relapse, which may be seen first in the home. As noted in the first skill, relapse is not a problem for which we are responsible, but we can support a person's sobriety (Skill #4) by providing feedback to them about the changes we see.
Having a loved one who is misusing substances can cause families to feel angry and fearful. The best antidote is to address what is going on. Staying alert and on-track is important.
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To read more articles by Dr. Ligon on this subject, please go to http://chhs.gsu.edu/socialwork/sixstepsligon.asp.
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Tags: abuse, addiction, advice, coping skills, drugs, families, limits, steps, substance abuse, tips
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Addictions, Tip Sheets |
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Dawn Newsom wants to help kids.
She especially hopes to help them navigate the turbulent waters of social pressure and media exposure.
That’s why Newsom chose to be a clinical social worker. After receiving a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in social work, she held positions for more than seven years in child guidance clinics and agencies around Connecticut. Then she decided she wanted to have a private practice, working with young people in Ridgefield.
She has established her practice in the Center for Healing and Recovery, where she counsels children and adolescents individually and with their families.
“I like to engage children and their families,” Newsom said. “I communicate to parents that I’m on their side. That the fact that their child needs counseling is not that they did anything wrong. ‘We’re a team,’ I stress. Then once they feel safe and the child feels safe, we can look at what’s happening.”
Newsom helps parents remember the tension and stress of growing up and helps them become aware of the complicated societal issues that children must deal with today.
“I like to concentrate on the strengths of their relationships with their children — what they’re doing now that’s right and how they might improve on those things,” Newsom said.
Newsom said it is “challenging to raise a child today” because of the early exposure to adult content on television and the Internet.
“It can be unnerving,” she said. “I help parents explore ways to keep kids from this exposure and help them learn how to explain what is seen by kids to their kids.”
With the pace of life in the 21st Century, so much is jammed into every day by parents that they can overlook the little things that occur day to day, Newsom said.
“A lot of kids today don’t have adult guidance to help them navigate through life,” she said. “It’s hard enough to meet our own needs today. It’s hard to meet a child’s needs, too, and then deal with the challenges society puts on a child.”
Newsom works to help parents understand their kids’ needs and behavior.
She said she believes a child is never too young to be taken for counseling. With very young children, “you’re helping the parents,” she said.
Despite the age of the child, Newsom uses the component of play in her therapy sessions. Kids learn through playing, she said, and playing eases the child, allowing for relaxation and connection.
Having a bond of trust with her young patients is key.
“Especially with older kids, there is concern about my going back to their parents with what they say,” Newsom said. “We establish early on in the session what I share and what I don’t share. I explain there are some issues I’m obligated to report to parents, issues of the young person’s safety.”
“I am not their friend at school,” Newsom said. “We can act friendly, but we have a working relationship.”
Oftentimes Newsom treats the entire family. It is clear that the child is the identified patient, but she said she finds that if she can help change one thing for one person, she can often change things in the whole family dynamic. That is necessary for some families more than others, she said.
“I don’t find it as effective to see a child alone,” Newsom said. “You can’t treat a child in a vacuum. Possibly you can with a mature 17-year-old, but you are usually not as successful when just seeing a child alone.”
Newsom said she chose the Center for Healing and Recovery to establish her practice because of the “warmth and sense of safety and community” that exists there.
“I want my clients to neutralize any shame they might feel about needing help,” she said. “I want them to feel it’s OK to seek help. There is a community here at the center that supports that.”
At the center, yoga, art therapy and massage therapy is offered. Newsom said she likes being able to offer those options to her clients.
“You need to heal the body and the spirit,” she said. “Here, when there is a need for something to help clients, we practitioners put our heads together and develop workshops to meet those needs.”
Newsom can be reached at her business cell phone at (203) 512-8359 or the phone at the center at (203) 438-3007.
Reprinted with permission of the News Times.
Tags: Adolescents, child, clinical social worker, Danbury, Dawn Newsom, development, families, media, parents, real life, social work, Susan Tuz, team, The News Times, youth, youth counselor
Posted in
Youth Development |
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Introduction
Here are two articles on how social workers help in the adoption and foster care arenas. The first is a general description of how social workers assist adoptive and foster care parents. The second is a first-person narrative of a social worker based in Washington, DC who works in the foster care system.
Tags: adoption, birth parents, child, families, foster care, help, legal state, process, resources, social workers, tips, trends
Posted in
Adoptions And Foster Care, How Social Workers Help, Kids And Families |
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Real Life Stories
Kids & Families | Mind & Spirit | Health & Wellness | Seniors & Aging
Kids & Families
Adoption and Foster Care
“The Little Boy and His Social Worker.” In today’s Wednesday’s Child segment we meet a young man who says the foster care system may have saved his life.
Full Story
Early Childhood Development
“School Feeds Needy Kids on Weekends.” Every Friday after school, fourth-grader Jeremiah Wilson bursts into the social worker’s office at Shaw Butte Elementary School to grab a backpack filled with enough food to get him through the weekend.
Full Story
Family Safety
“Caseworker Turnover Hurts Agency, Families, Kids.” A year after a strike that officials say left animosity and hard feelings on both sides, Franklin County Children Services officials are raising new concerns about the agency's trouble holding on to child welfare workers.
Full Story
“Protecting Kids from Child Predators.” This latest case of alleged wrong-doing at the hands of an educator, just one of several we’ve seen in Michiana recently. They left some parents concerned and cautious about who’s in their child’s classroom.
Full Story
“Remembering 143 Victims.” In the United States, the most dangerous place for a woman is in her own home.”
Full Story
“Solidarity Mission Reaches Out to Embattled Israelis.” JERUSALEM — Some 500,000 Israelis who fled southward from the northern part of the country returned home last week while others left their bomb shelters following the implementation of UN Resolution 1701, which formally ended the war in Lebanon.
Full Story
“Out of the Shadows: Child Pornography Offenders.” As of July 1, life for those involved in child pornography in Kansas got a whole lot riskier.
Full Story
“Malicious Deeds: It Doesn’t Take Physical Contact to Leave Scars.” All the popular girls in Elly Troxell's third-grade class at Ashland Grade School took tumbling at Vickie B's gymnastics and dance studio. And they all had the shoes to prove it.
Full Story
“From Homelessness to Independent Living.” The single, middle-aged woman had moved from a shelter into a Section 8 apartment. She had one bed and one folding chair.
Full Story
“Message to Victims: It’s Not Your Fault.” It's all the same.Carlene Cox, a local licensed clinical social worker has seen it all — hundreds of children and teens and adults of both genders and many backgrounds – and she's here to tell you it's all the same.
Full Story
“They Fear Dad’s Death. Don’t Eat or Sleep. But They Can Learn to Cope”. On the fourth floor of Evans Army Community Hospital at Fort Carson, Doug Lehman counsels the littlest people affected by the war in Iraq.
Full Story
“Ed Garrison’s Retirement Completes Long Devotion to Social Services.” For the Pitt County Department of Social Services, the new year will begin in a way it hasn’t since 1979. It will begin without Ed Garrison.
Full Story
“Treating Trauma of Abuse Starts With Study.” Fairfield-Renee Stewart-Cox decided to be a social worker like her older brother while attending Armijo High School, but the seasoned county employee now admits she knew little then about the challenging profession.
Full Story
“Keeping County Children Safe”. Renee Stewart-Cox decided to be a social worker like her older brother while attending Armijo High School, but the seasoned county employee now admits she knew little then about the challenging profession.
Full Story
Healthy Parenting
”His Wish Is Their Command.” There's a lot more to spoiling kids than simply succumbing to their material desires. Sure they may have every electronic gadget on the market, not to mention their own wheels and unfettered access to the family credit card. But as psychologist Dan Kindlon found out in a survey of upper middle-class parents and adolescents, overindulgence is not just about what parents give their teens, but how they treat them.
Full Story
Schools and Communities
“School Social Worker Honored.” While enjoying an unusual break in the beauty parlor five years ago, school social worker Olivia Benford had a mysterious note placed in her hand by one of the stylists.
Full Story
“Malicious Deeds: It Doesn’t Take Physical Contact to Leave Scars”. All the popular girls in Elly Troxell's third-grade class at Ashland Grade School took tumbling at Vickie B's gymnastics and dance studio. And they all had the shoes to prove it.
Full Story
“Sleep Deprivation Affects Performance at School and Work.” When you get too little sleep on a regular basis, a condition known as sleep deprivation can occur, causing you to shortchange yourself on a very important aspect of life.
Full Story
Youth Development
“It’s a Whole New Ball Game: Turning Young Lives Around.” 12-year-old Hansel Rodriguez sits in a chair in the teacher's lounge and seems perfectly at ease talking to adults. It's an amazing change for a young man who, only a few short years ago, refused to speak — even to his mother — hated school and fought every day with his classmates.
Full Story
“Families Struggle With Time Crunch”. Standing in the back of a dance studio, Pam Gallant had a chance to breathe. For that moment, she stood still and wasn’t checking her calendar, where every day is filled with activities scrawled meticulously in blue and black ink.
Full Story
“Many Gay Teens Are Coming Out Earlier at Earlier Ages.” Chris Krug had thought she was a lesbian from the time she was 8, but she felt certain after developing a serious crush on her best friend.She was in the fifth grade at the time.
Full Story
“Sleep Deprivation Affects Performance at School and Work.” When you get too little sleep on a regular basis, a condition known as sleep deprivation can occur, causing you to shortchange yourself on a very important aspect of life.
Full Story
“Youth Counselor Takes Team Approach.” Dawn Newsom wants to help kids. She especially hopes to help them navigate the turbulent waters of social pressure and media exposure.
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“Proving a New Life Can Lead to a Life Full of Joy.”Pregnant at 15, she received a master’s at 29. In a country that claims to value the sanctity of life, it’s amazing how much scorn is still heaped upon pregnant teens who decide to keep their babies.
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“It’s National Social Work Month.” Do You Know What Your Social Workers Do? I'm a social worker, mom, freelance writer, and spy— not always in that order.
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“The Good Guys: Athletes Who Care.” Driven by a desire to give back to the community, Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter created a foundation that assists at-risk youngsters. His efforts, along with those of his parents and sister, reap real results and make him No. 1 on TSN’s annual list of The Good Guys in pro sports.
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Mind & Spirit
Addictions
“Parents Get Lessons About Meth, Other Drugs.” A postponed meeting on drug and alcohol use among high school students took on more importance last week after the recent death of a young Homer woman from a drug overdose. Even before Bethany Woodworth, 19, died last month, the Homer High School Parent Teacher Association had planned a presentation to discuss the issue.
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“Full-Time Help: Portage County Jail Uses Social Workers.” In Portage County, Wisconsin, inmates have access to a full-time social worker, but many jails only have someone part-time or use Health and Human Services on an on-call basis.
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“Addiction Can Have Many Causes.” Like diabetes and cancer, substance abuse and addiction are diseases, say local experts, and a reflection of a human truth that some people will always look for solace, joy, meaning or release in a pill, bottle or chemical. But substance abusers also find — and cause — a great deal of misfortune.
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“Helping Problem Gamblers Become Winners at Life.” A preoccupation with gambling may cause some people to risk more than money. They may be gambling their health, happiness and their family's welfare.
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Anxiety
“Coping On Our Own.” Feeling edgy and out of sorts? Confused by your cranky mood and overreaction to criticism? Can’t talk to your therapist because he’s away, unavailable, or you’re not in therapy at the moment?
You don’t have to tough it out alone.
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“Panic Attack Can Seem Like Heart Attack.” Out of the blue, Linda Hartwich feels like she is having a heart attack. The 46-year-old La Crosse area woman begins to sweat. Her heart pounds, her ears ring. She's nauseated and feels like she's going to pass out. She can't function for four to six hours, and can't work.
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“Unlearning Fear of Driving.” When it’s snowing or raining, Sarah Bisconte, 46, a public relations specialist who lives and works in suburban New York, dons “a long, royal blue goose-down coat that makes me look like a cross between an astronaut and the Michelin Man,” and walks five miles a day to and from work — just as she does when the weather is nice.
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Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
“Winston's Problem: Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.” Social Worker, Anise Hopkins, works with third grade student diagnosed with ADHD. From the initial evaluation to educating the student's parents and teacher, she ensures they all understand ADHD and offers solutions to help cope with the disorder.
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Depression
“MTV Campaigns Against Depression.” Nearly half of all college students have felt too depressed to function, but only 22 percent would consider seeking help — and researchers say the shame and stigma surrounding mental health issues may be to blame.
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“Shorter Days of Fall Herald Arrival of Seasonal Affective Disorder.” For many, the transition from the warm months of summer to the brisk days of autumn can be quite stressful. That stress can lead to depression, lethargy, loss of libido and even overeating.
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“Hopeful Light Shed at Depression Forum.” Major depression is more than feeling “blue.” It’s a brain disorder that can end in suicide. Medicine, psychotherapy, alternative therapies and lifestyle changes can help, 80 percent of the time.
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“Manic Episodes Can Result in Disastrous Crash.” Judy Eron is a licensed clinical social worker, and she knows firsthand what it’s like to deal with manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder.
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“Springtime Spike in Depression, Suicide Threats Expected.” One said she was going to kill herself with the gun she had in her hand. Another said she was going to cut her wrists with a knife. One teen boy made suicidal statements to his mother and then took off in an automobile.
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“Helping Seniors.” If not for Tim Malone, 86-year-old William Baldridge would spend most of his time alone in the small home he built on an expanse of juniper and sagebrush near Bend.
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Eating Disorders
“Teen Creates ‘Real Barbie’ to Fight Eating Disorders.” She is the one who every girl hopes will be at her birthday party. Her clothes are stylish, she always looks so together, everyone wants to be like her. Her name is Barbie, but the image she promotes is not all that pretty, and it is one that the professionals and volunteers of the South Shore Eating Disorder Collaborative (SSEDC) hope to shatter with their "Get Real Barbie" tour.
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Grief and Loss
“Learning How to Mourn.” You might have thought you were in the wrong place if you stepped inside Sol Levinson & Bros. Funeral Home on Wednesday night, May 10. The chapel filled with bouts of laughter from the approximately 400 guests inside.
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“Grief Through the Eyes of the Children at Camp Jonathan.” Jonathan was a six-year old boy who died in 1988. Social worker Mary Lee Carroll, LCSW, served as his hospice volunteer.
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“Grief Through the Eyes of the Children at Camp Jonathan.” (Spanish version) Jonathan tenía seis años cuando muri en 1988. La trabajadora social Mary Lee Carroll, LCSW lo acompañ como voluntaria de hospice.
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“Words of Comfort.” Grief is an intensely personal process, but caring friends and co-workers can be an important help in a time of bereavement. “Be strong.” “He's in a better place.” “It'll be OK soon.” When a friend is grieving, it's natural to reach for words you hope will provide some comfort.
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Obsessions and Compulsions
“Compulsion for Clutter Poses Home Hazard.” The trim-looking Orangevale home has a secret. Inside are towering piles of stuff that fill the rooms, line every hallway and block doorways. Leaning against the walls are unopened portable grills, rolls of Christmas gift wrap, and empty boxes and bags.
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Relationships
“Financial Infidelity.” You can tell something about a woman’s marriage by the way she pays for her facial or perm, says Angela Allen. Allen owns From Head to Toe salon and spa in Greensburg, which provides hair treatments, facials and other services to a mostly female clientele.
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“New Marriage Tests Bonds: Longtime Friends, Mom and Stepmom Bridge Personal Hurt With Maternal Love.” Christine Cusick and Lisa Smith sat in the stands behind Vince’s Sports Center in Newark last Sunday. They were doing the mom thing, cheering Lisa’s 5-year-old son, Joseph, as he swung the bat and dashed to first base. They weren’t always this friendly.
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“Issues With In-Laws: Tolerance Key to Dealing With Extended Families.” Tolerance is key to dealing with extended families. In-laws are people, too. Or at least that’s the message from three Rutherford County residents whose credentials give them status as experts on the often-touchy subject.
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“One of the Things That Social Workers Can Do: Teaching Marital Communications Skills.” Unfortunately, half of all first marriages in this country end in divorce. And while couples break up for a variety of reasons, the most frequent problem reported by unhappy couples is poor communication.
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Schizophrenia
“Mentally Ill Man on Long Road.” Phil Wiggins’ emergence from 44 years in a state psychiatric hospital has been a series of highs and lows, mirroring the promise — and challenges — of the mental health reform effort he personifies.
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Stress Management
“Veterans and Combat Stress.” Army National Guard Specialist Chuck Ross had been home from Iraq for a few months when he and his wife Jennifer came to a decision. Chuck was having trouble adjusting to life back home in America.
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“First Responders Get Help Dealing With Stress.” Sometimes the horror is too much, even for veteran cops.
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“Images Heal the Wounded Psyche.” The world is awash in the trauma of war and natural disasters — Oklahoma City, 9/11, the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and Hurricane Katrina, to name a few. But a phoenix has risen from the ashes of these blockbuster catastrophes: Data about the human brain and lots of it.
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“Procrastination Has Negative Health Effects.” Putting off studying for an upcoming test may cause more than just stress. A 2002 study conducted by Fuschia Sirois and Timothy Pychyl of Carleton University in Ottawa found college students who procrastinate on their schoolwork are likely to have unhealthy sleep, diet and exercise patterns.
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Suicide Prevention
“Using the Web to Prevent Suicide.” As questions of institutional liability after student suicide have received much more attention in recent years, many health officials have called for improved suicide prevention strategies. But carrying out such efforts is not the easiest of tasks when no one knows for sure what will push one student instead of another to want to take his or her own life.
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“Don’t Remember Me.” Social worker, Ned Hoffner, helps ease pain of 15-year-old suicide victim's mother. Without his help, she herself may not have survived.
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Health & Wellness
Cancer
“Lance Armstrong Remains My Inspiration.” Lance Armstrong isn’t riding in the Tour de France this year, but to a bicycling fanatic like me his carbon fiber footprints are all over the race. He isn’t tearing up the time trials or climbing the Col de Tourmelet, but Lance is still out there wearing bright yellow.
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“Cancer Center Provides Treatment, Support.” At the San Diego Cancer Center, treatment isn’t just about pills, injections, radiation and surgery. It’s also about feeling good, having companions and enjoying life.
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“Removing Barriers to Treatment.” Alycia Hughes, LMSW, is a social worker at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. Every day, she explains, she works with cancer patients to take away the obstacles that can get in the way of treatment.
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“A Dose of Comedy.” There is something hilarious going on inside the Beth C. Wright Cancer Resource Center. Strange sounds emanate from a small kitchen inside the building. Someone is barking. Someone else is mooing. And just about everyone is giggling.
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“Cancer Institute Aids 20 Families.” The New Jersey Cancer Institute social work department helps 20 families living with cancer during the holiday season. Social worker, Julie Murphy, explains how the aid breaks down barriers and saves lives along the way.
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Death & Dying
“Something More. The Social Worker’s Role in Hospice Care.” Hot on the trail of understanding the whole picture at hospice, I turned my inquisitive pen toward some of the actual “in-home” workers. In this case, I had the pleasure of talking with two hospice social workers, Angie Pickel and Karen Griemsmann.
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“Private Discussion in Pubic: Panel Bares Personal Experiences to Continue End-of-Life Debate Begun With Schiavo.” In a panel discussion last Friday at one of the National Association of Social Workers’ (NASW) tri-annual delegate assemblies, end-of-life care experts, journalists, and a congressional legislative staffer shared their experiences in “covering, planning, or delivering end-of-life care” to explore “the media’s role in changing public perception of these issues.”
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“Helping Kids Cope With Grief.” Social Worker, Nancy Libby, counsels students after the sudden deaths of two classmates. Everyday, thousands of social workers across the country help children deal with deaths of classmates, friends, and family members.
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Disabilities
“Students Learn About Life With a Disability.” Noah Swimmer ran into the wall while trying to make his way across the room using a blindfold and cane. “It’s impossible because everything is totally black,” said Noah, a fourth-grader at Roosevelt Elementary School. “It makes it much easier to appreciate what handicapped people go through.”
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Family Genetics
“Social Worker a Ground Breaker in Texas”. John E. Davis knew when he was growing up that he “didn’t want to be a teacher or a preacher,” but in a way he combined the two when he became a social worker. He decided on his career path even before he entered Michigan State University, where he earned a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in social work.
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Healthy Lifestyles
“All Work and No Play.” Wednesday is the first official day of summer, which means vacation season has arrived. And there’s a mounting body of evidence suggesting using your vacation time is essential to your health.
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“Sleep Deprivation Affects Performance at School and Work.” When you get too little sleep on a regular basis, a condition known as sleep deprivation can occur, causing you to shortchange yourself on a very important aspect of life.
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“Social Worker Phyllis Greenberger Receives Red Dress Award from Woman’s Day Magazine.” Phyllis Greenberger, M.S.W., President and CEO of the Society for Women's Health Research, received a Red Dress Award today in recognition of her work in leading the way in the fight against heart disease in women.
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“Program Helps Families Lose Weight, Change Habits.” Deedee Pearson and her husband both struggle with weight-related health problems. So when their 8-year-old son, Chris, started having a weight problem too, their pediatrician referred the whole family to Oakwood Healthcare System’s Shapedown program.
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HIV/AIDS
“Breaking the Code of Silence.” In a small, two-bedroom home on a quiet street in Modesto, Maria is trying to find her voice. Colorful, unscented candles flicker in the hallway. Framed pictures of Jesus hang on the walls, beside those of her children. Abuse has shaped her life. Rape. Beatings. Deception by those she loved and trusted.
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Living With Illness
“The Cost of Caring.” Felicia Pate has a sad little boy on her lap. Trent looks lethargic and swollen, as if there were more pressure against his stomach and cheeks than his 3-year-old frame can bear. "Why don't you smile and take a pretty picture?" his mom asks gently. He shakes his head and begins to cry.
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Pain
“Neurotherapy Tr
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Coping With Addiction Begins With Awareness
Americans consume 60 percent of the world's production of illegal drugs. There are drug users and abusers in every state of the nation and every socio-economic group. Households with incomes of $100,000 a year or more have a higher rate of substance abuse than any other income group.
Although most of us would probably not consider alcoholic beverages "drugs," alcohol is a drug, and we all know that drinking is commonplace in our society.
Alcoholics and drug abusers are people we know: family members, friends, or co-workers. By recognizing symptoms of alcohol and drug abuse, experts say you can take the first step to stop the cycle of abuse and addiction.
In their desire to be loving, supporting, or helpful, family members and friends often unwittingly contribute to an addict's drug use. This is called "enabling," and may take the form of denial, taking over responsibilities for the addict, and rescuing the addict when he or she gets into trouble.
Family members may deny the existence or seriousness of the problem. No one wants to believe that drug abuse exists in their home, so they may explain away the drug use or minimize the severity. They may also deny the existence of problems caused by drug abuse, such as financial difficulties.
Sometimes family members take over responsibilities to cover for the addict during a bad time, but it is often the only way to ensure that important things like paying bills or picking children up from school get accomplished.
When addicts can't make it to work or are having financial problems, a family member or friend will often come to the rescue by making excuses for them or lending money. These "rescue missions" only shield the addict from having to face the problems caused by drug abuse, making it that much easier to stay addicted.
Co-dependents are people whose lives have become unmanageable as a result of living in a committed relationship with a substance abuser. Co-dependents become so absorbed in the addict's problems that they forget how to care for themselves.
What should you do if you suspect that your loved one is addicted to drugs or alcohol? Experts offer the following suggestions,
- Don't panic, but do acknowledge the problem.
- Discuss your suspicions with your loved one calmly and objectively.
Never confront someone when they are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Express your concerns and offer resources for professional help.
Social workers can help counsel addicts. When an active addict seeks help, they are taking a very positive step in their recovery. By asking key questions, the social worker assesses the exact nature and extent of the problem. He or she then facilitates referrals to either an appropriate 12-Step program like AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) or NA (Narcotics Anonymous), or to an inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation program where the client receives individual and group counseling. The social worker provides education about the disease of addiction and the effects of continued drug use on the addict's medical, work, family, social and financial life. Often, the social worker will provide aftercare once the client completes an inpatient or outpatient recovery program.
Remember, family counseling is an important part of any substance abuse treatment program. It provides education and support to help family members understand the cycle of addiction and avoid participating in it. Social workers recommend that loved ones detach emotionally because the addict needs to own the problem and take responsibility for their recovery. Al-Anon, the 12-Step program for families, provides help for anyone who loves or lives with an addict or alcoholic.
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The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect those of the National Association of Social Workers or its members.
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Tags: addiction, addicts, Claire Caines, co-dependency, drug abuse, families, help, recovery, social workers
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