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E-Newsletter • August 2023 |
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Editor's E-Note
Returning to school after a summer break may be anxiety-provoking for many students for any number of reasons. But after the challenges posed by COVID-19 during the pandemic, the return to the classroom may be especially fraught for many young people. Ashaad Hipps, MSW, LMSW, CYMHS, discusses the impact of the changes brought about during quarantine and strategies for helping students.
We welcome your comments at SWTeditor@gvpub.com. Visit our website at www.SocialWorkToday.com, like our Facebook page, and follow us on Twitter.
— Kate Jackson, editor |
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Back to School Anxiety Post COVID-19
By Ashaad Hipps, MSW, LMSW, CYMHS
Returning to school after summer break can be a stressful time for everyone. A new school year comes with many new adventures and challenges, which can be scary for children and teens. During the COVID-19 pandemic, students transitioned to remote learning, and post COVID-19, they returned to the classroom. Imagine trying to adjust to in-person learning, instead of learning virtually, and a post COVID-19 world of uncertainty. The reacclimation to in-person social interactions, removal of social distancing requirements, and receipt of in-person instruction could lead to anxiety in young children and teens.
The Impact of COVID-19 and Anxiety
The COVID-19 pandemic had a tremendous impact on children and families due to the widespread uncertainty caused by the virus. Children suddenly lost the ability to engage in their day-to-day activities, such as going to school, hanging out with friends, and playing sports. This unexpected disruption combined with the unknown could have exacerbated anxiety in children. In addition, the pandemic and lockdowns also affected school-aged children and teens developmentally due to the disruption of their social and learning environments. The transition from elementary to middle and middle to high school are important factors in the lives of children.1 During COVID-19 lockdowns, many students were promoted and had their transition to elementary, middle, or high school virtually. An online transition removed many opportunities for students to appropriately acclimate to their new environments or form positive relationships with peers or teachers, which influences social development and may increase anxiety levels.
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Social Workers’ Role in Psychedelic Therapy
As the research begins to mount, many social workers are increasingly interested in psychedelic-assisted therapy. In The Baltimore Sun, Megan Meyer and Victor Cabral argue that social workers need training to help deliver the potential of psychedelics and practice harm reduction.
Advocating for the Aging
Jewish Standard profiles geriatric social worker Stacey Maines, who discusses the challenges involved in trying to meet the special needs of older adults.
Burnout in Child Welfare Workers
A study published in the journal Children and Youth Services Review indicates that there’s a high rate of turnover among workers in the child welfare system and that the leading cause is burnout. The researchers hope their work will increase awareness and spur strategies to stem the loss of social workers from the child welfare workforce.
The Good and the Bad of Virtual Mental Health Apps
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s been an explosion of interest in the development of, and interest in, virtual mental health apps. HealthCareExecIntelligence reports on the upsides and the downsides. |
Restoring Relationships
This year’s annual conference of the American Board of Clinical Social Work will focus on “Restoring Relationships: The Changing Landscape of Clinical Social Work.” It will take place April 17 to 20, 2024, in Philadelphia. Learn more »
Anti-Racist Workshops
Anti-Racism4U offers three workshops that can be tailored for conferences, businesses, or schools: Dismantling Racism: A Research-Based Introduction; Unraveling Racism: Creating a Justice-Oriented Mindset; and Eradicating Racism: An Extended Experience. The workshops were created by educators Deborah Kemp, MSSW, LCSW, BCD, and Dennis Cornell, DSW, LCSW, BCD. Learn more » |
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COVER STORY
The Challenges of Private Practice
Running your own practice can be highly rewarding, but there are difficulties as well, from starting up to maintaining.
FEATURE
Growth During Grief
Although grief may feel devastating, research demonstrates that there’s also great potential for transformative personal growth during bereavement.
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