Social Workers Need More Than Pizza
Happy Sunday and last day of Social Work Appreciation Month and Women’s History Month!
Today’s blog piece is inspired by many thoughts I have had throughout the years and a call for attention and advocacy to what we, as social workers, really need to thrive.
First, money. We all need money.
You know, it is hard to start anything. And many of us embarked on this journey, some of us knowing where we wanted to go and end up, and for some of us we had no idea. Remember, I started college thinking I was going to be a nurse. Now, I am an individual and family/couples’ psychotherapist. I landed somewhere else. But what I knew, along with many other social workers, was that there was something attracting me to this field. There was a mission and assignment I was called to accept. For some, this is a “nice job doing God’s work.” Social work is my vocation.
Quick side note, I think everyone should look up their names, meaning and origins. There is so much power in a name. One early moment of confirmation for me was when I realized the field I embarked on, and reflecting on the name Monique means “counselor or advisor and trustworthy.” Wow.
For those who knew early on what they wanted to do and landed there, I am happy for you. For many others, including myself, it was not a straight line. I graduated then had a gap year. I quickly figured out I wanted to be back in school and I needed to do more. I literally accepted all these loans to finance my graduate degree. I could not fathom taking out all these loans with no other assistance, seeing the figures on the screen. I closed my eyes and accepted. This was the only way forward.
I got started. Back to school, back to a campus, buckling down, and learning about social work theory, practice, and everything from the nitty-gritty, such as “how to call your first client on the phone” and that was the start of your working/helping relationship and navigating your first crisis.
The art and science of social work and other helping professions is a difficult, beautiful journey. It is the collection of experiences, training, and life experience that makes each social worker unique. We do not give enough respect and compassion to social workers, young or old, new and green. Only to the big names and “well-seasoned.” Don’t get me wrong, I love social work as a profession, but I often say it is imperfect. Many of us bet and put down our bottom dollar, our final dollar, or signed up for some money (hello loan servicers) to finance this dream! We deserve respect and we certainly need more than pizza.
Gate-keeping in this profession is toxic. Workplace hazing in many settings is toxic. Holding aspiring LCSW licensure holders clinical hours above their head is toxic.
Don’t you remember what it was like to get started?? We put in this work and make a sliver of that when we graduate. And we are told to accept it because we are new grads, less experienced, “and the money will come when you get your Clinical license (LCSW).”
But, life does not wait. Bills don’t wait. We all have things to pay for and to do with our money. I am sorry, pizza isn’t good enough. I keep referencing pizza because some places literally give us pizza, or donuts as a “token of appreciation for thankless work” with nothing else behind it.
Who stands up for social workers? Who stands up for women? We do an emotionally involved job. There is so much labor involved! I don’t need to drag boxes up a flight of stairs for you to believe and acknowledge that I am tired. Social workers are also tasked with not being burnt out to maintain best practice and not suffer from compassion fatigue. Many of us are met with stringent paid time-off policies and guilted for prioritizing our self-care. To do THIS work, we have to be emotionally available. You cannot fake it until you make it for too long. We are invested in our clients’ healing and success. We must prioritize our own. PTO= prepare the others. I cannot be everything to you, and nothing for myself.
My relationship to myself needs attention.
My own relationships need watering and quality time.
I have to break up with this idea that I am only as good as my productivity and rest is bad.
Social workers need more than pizza and they, the systems that be, are not going to stop feeding it to us until we stop eating it.
To all my social workers, Happy Social Work Month! I appreciate you. You are valued. And thank you for your service.
Disclaimer:
The intention for using social media for social workers and other mental health professionals is for marketing, education, advocacy, thought leadership, and providing content in a technologically changing field. We want to do this while making potential therapy-seekers aware of the risks and benefits of engagement on social media and Internet where mental health professionals are present. A therapeutic relationship is a professional relationship and in today's technological climate, a social media presence or following your therapist on social media is not to be confused with a relationship outside of therapy. Ethical, professional, and therapeutic boundaries must be followed and honored.
A counseling social media page or blog is not psychotherapy, a replacement for a therapeutic relationship, or substitute for mental health and medical care. A social media presence as a counseling professional is not seeking an endorsement, request, or rating from past or current clients. No social media posts or blog should be considered professional advice. The information contained in posts is general information for educational purposes only.
Be mindful of sharing personal details or details or others if you choose to comment.
Please consult your physician or mental health provider regarding advice or support for your health and wellbeing.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a medical and/or psychiatric mental health crisis and requires assistance, please call 911 emergency services.
988- National Suicide Prevention Hotline (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
Safe Horizon 24-hour Hotlines (se habla español):
Domestic violence victims: 800-621-HOPE (4673)
Victims of crime and their families: 866-689-HELP (4357)