Behavioral Health Services

March is National Social Work Month

Weaving Threads of Resilience & Advocacy

Social Work is the profession of hope - fueled by resilience and advocacy. Social Workers matter because they help millions of struggling people every day dream differently.

Sometimes all it takes to help people get on the right path is guidance toward what is possible. Other times, Social Workers area an immediate lifeline in crisis - providing access to resources and new life options.

Celebrate Social Work Month with us by telling us why Social Work matters in your life. Please use the comments area below.

Social Work Myths vs. Facts - Week Four

March is National Social Work Month. For 2012, the month of March is dedicated to the Social Work profession with the theme of, "Social Work Matters." 

As part of this celebration, MHM and Methodist Healthcare would like to present you with the second installment of our weekly series of Social Work, "Myths vs. Facts."

Myth:

Social workers only enable families to continue to use the "system."

Fact:

Social workers believe that is is important to EMPOWER and educate patients and families to feel confident. To best support the patients and families, we believe that it is important to first recognize their needs, strengths, and abilities. 

Myth: 

Once a social worker has the degree, no ongoing education is required.

Fact:

Social workers complete at least 30 hours of continuing education units every two years, including six hours of ethics. Also, they continue to leanr abou the new and changing programs available to their clients.

Do you have any questions about the Social Work profession? Share them here (by posting a comment below)! We are happy to address any misconceptions, curiosities or thoughts you have about Social Work.

To learn more about National Social Work Month, visit www.socialworkers.org.

Social Work Myths vs. Facts - Week Three

March is National Social Work Month. For 2012, the month of March is dedicated to the Social Work profession with the theme of, "Social Work Matters." 

As part of this celebration, MHM and Methodist Healthcare would like to present you with the second installment of our weekly series of Social Work, "Myths vs. Facts." 

Myth:

Social workers only listen to peoople talk about their feelings; their "work" is not tangible or quantitative.

Fact:

Approximately 60% of mental health professional providing services are clinical social workers. At least two years after completing their master's degree, a social worker may obtain 100 hours of intense supervision and pass another licensure exam in order to become a LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker). LCSW is the highest level of education that a social work can receive, other than a doctorate degree in social work which is used for teaching at the college/master's level.

Fact:

Social workers address peoples feelings and so much more! Social workers provide practical and compassionate guidance to individuals, families, and communities confronting and resolving a variety of dilemmas. Social workers can also work as administrators, policymakers and researchers.

Do you have any questions about the Social Work profession? Share them here (by posting a comment below)! We are happy to address any misconceptions, curiosities or thoughts you have about Social Work.

To learn more about National Social Work Month, visit www.socialworkers.org.
 

Social Work Myths vs. Facts - Week Two

March is National Social Work Month. For 2012, the month of March is dedicated to the Social Work profession with the theme of, "Social Work Matters." 

As part of this celebration, MHM and Methodist Healthcare would like to present you with the second installment of our weekly series of Social Work, "Myths vs. Facts." 

Myth:

Most social workers work for Child Protective Services (CPS) and their job is to remove children from their homes and to break up families.

Fact:

Approxiamately 20% of the social workers in the U.S. practice in hospitals and about 12% practice in medial clinics; this includes about 111,000 social workers. There are currently over 70 social workers in the Methodist Healthcare System and MHM in San Antonio who hold at least a master's degree.

Myth:

Social workers complete Medicaid applications and hand out meal coupons.

Fact:

Health care social workers provide direct services to clients, impart information, make community referrals, screen and assess clients, assist in discharge planning, provide mental health services, and interven in crisis situations most often in their area of practice. 

Do you have any questions about the Social Work profession? Share them here (by posting a comment below)! We are happy to address any misconceptions, curiosities or thoughts you have about Social Work.

To learn more about National Social Work Month, visit www.socialworkers.org.
 

Social Work Myths vs. Facts - Week One

March is National Social Work Month. For 2012, the month of March is dedicated to the Social Work   profession with the theme of, "Social Work Matters." 

As part of this celebration, MHM and Methodist Healthcare would like to present you with the first of our weekly series of Social Work, "Myths vs. Facts."

Myth:

Social work does not require a special degree or licensure. A social worker can be anyone who is compassionate and enjoys helping those who are experiencing difficulties or who are less fortunate.

Fact:

Although most social workers are compassionate and do enjoy helping those in need, a degree, a license, and supervised fieldwork is required to call one’s self a social worker. The minimum requirement for a social worker is a bachelor’s degree, but approximately 82% of practicing social workers have a master's or doctorate.

Fact:

LBSW stands for Licensed Bachelor’s Social Worker and LMSW stands for Licensed Master's Social Worker; every social worker at Methodist Healthcare Ministries holds at least a bachelor’s degree.

Fact:

According to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 600,000 people have a degree in social work; this career path is growing twice as fast as any other occupation in the U.S.

Do you have any questions about the Social Work profession? Share them here (by posting a comment below)! We are happy to address any misconceptions, curiosities or thoughts you have about Social Work.

To learn more about National Social Work Month, visit www.socialworkers.org.