Mental illness is not for life

Journalist:  Unknown        

 

Date:  August 22, 2007

 

Summary:  This article describes the experiences of an individual who experienced manic depression and regularly required hospitalization.  He is now a practicing social worker.

Relevance:   Individuals with mental illness can receive successful treatment and accomplish achievements that include having a professional career.

 Questions:

1)      How long has it been since the social worker was hospitalized for his illness?

2)      How can experience with mental illness benefit a social worker when working with clients?

 

 

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Eating disorders are not just for women

Journalist:  Kristina Wells       

 

Date:  August 28, 2007

 

Summary:  This article describes the experiences of a male who developed an eating disorder in the fifth grade.  It describes his emotional and behavioral struggles, and how a multidisciplinary approach that included social work was included in his treatment.  The numbers of men and research about men who experience eating disorders is sparse.  

 

Relevance:   Although social workers are more likely to treat women who experience eating disorders, males also experience the disorder and social workers need to know about the unique experiences of males.

 Questions:

1)      When the male was hospitalized each time for the eating disorder, how many other male patients were there?

2)       According to National Institutes of Health estimates, what percent of individuals with anorexia or bulimia are male?

3)      According to National Institutes of Health estimates, what percent of individuals who binge eat are male?

4)      In her six years experience counseling individuals with eating disorders, how many of the social worker’s clients have been male?

5)      Why are male athletes “at risk” for developing an eating disorder?

6)   What body issues are the focus of men who experience eating disorders?

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DSM-IV diagnosis applies equally well for Caucasian and African American gamblers when combined with new assessment tool

Journalist:  Unknown       

 

Date:  August 28, 2007

 

Summary:  A leading expert in gambling addictions and professor of social work suggests that African Americans and other minorities experience problem and pathological gambling rates 2-3 times that of Caucasian gamblers.  The professor developed and tested a new assessment tool to assess the reliability of pathological gambling disorder criteria.  Initial results appear promising.

 

Relevance:   Social workers often use the DSM-IV as an assessment tool.  This research helps to better understand diagnostic criteria for pathological gambling disorder.     

 Questions:

1)      Why is accurate diagnosis of problem and pathological gambling essential?

2)      What findings were discussed in the study?

3)      Why is more research needed?

4)      What are the unique features of the Gambling Assessment Module (GAM)?

 

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What triggers school shooters?

Journalist:  Kathleen Doheny     

 

Date:  August 20, 2007

 

Summary:  A new concept “clinical shyness” is used to describe the phenomenon of high school students shooting other students within their school.  Data was obtained from magazines, newspapers, on-line reports and FBI reports.  A social work professor cautions that news reports may not provide sufficient data to assess a high school shooter’s personality.

 

 Relevance:   Social work research skills and training can be helpful for assessing the quality of data.  

 Questions: 

1)      Why might news reports not provide sufficient data to assess a high school shooter’s personality?

2)      What other types of data can be used to assess a high school shooter’s personality?

3)      Can these results be generalized to other school shooters? Why or why not?  

4)      What are your thoughts about the relationship between “clinical shyness” and high school shooters?

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SU expands reach in MD: Social work degrees offered at satellite locations

Journalist:  Candice Evans     

 

Date:  August 18, 2007

 

Summary:  Salisbury University is offering both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work through satellite locations.  Using technology and on-line instruction, students can complete their degrees by registering, receiving advisement and completing their field placements within their communities without traveling to campus.

 

Relevance:  Social work education can use technology to expand the ability to educate students across a vast distance.       

 Questions:

1)      Is the accreditation of the undergraduate and graduate social work program an issue?

2)      How can such programs benefit students working full-time or raising a family?

3)      What are your thoughts about satellite social work programs and completing academic work on-line?

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McGoldrick says stop bickering

Journalist:  Annette Kingsbury    

 

Date:  August 19, 2007

 

Summary:  A social worker wants to use her social skills and training in a City Council position.   

 

Relevance:  Social work skills and training can be useful in other settings besides social and human service organizations.        

 Questions: 

1)      What previous training will be useful to the social worker in a City Council position?   

2)      How might pursuing outside funding benefit the City?

3)      Do you think that social work skills and training and a City Council position are compatible?   

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Baby rescued from locked car

Journalist:  Mike McWilliams    

 

Date:  August 14, 2007

 

Summary:  A citizen rescued a baby from a locked car.  Temperatures inside the car were greater than 90 degrees.  The Department of Social Services is investigating this incident.

 

Relevance:  Social workers are mandated reporters of child abuse and neglect.    

 Questions: 

1)      When not performing their work duties, what obligation do social workers have to intervene and report child abuse and neglect?

2)      Who would you contact in your jurisdiction to report suspected child abuse and neglect?

3)      What are the consequences for social workers of reporting child abuse and neglect that are not substantiated?

4)      What are the consequences for social workers of not reporting child abuse and neglect?

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Trumbull school teaches suicide prevention

Journalist:  Susan Silvers   

 

Date:  August 13, 2007

 

Summary:  The Board of Education approved a plan to implement a state-funded program to educate students about suicide and warning signs.  The program will be evaluated to assess efficacy.

 

Relevance:   Social workers in schools can be involved in a variety of mental health programs for students.     

 Questions: 

1)      How might the content of this article be useful for school social workers?

2)      Do schools in your area have a suicide-prevention policy?

3)      Why should the program be evaluated for efficacy?

 

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Threats a common occurrence for social workers

Journalist:  not indicated  

 

Date:  August 9, 2007

 

Summary:  Social workers work within volatile environments.  Conflict, anger and violence may be present.  A social worker who indicated that she was defending a child pleaded guilty to assaulting a member of a family with whom she worked.  She was convicted and fined. 

 

Relevance:  Issues of safety and violence and important particularly for social workers who conduct home visits.  

 Questions: 

1)      Why did the social worker plead guilty to assault?

2)      Would you have pleaded guilty in such a situation?

3)      What can social workers do to diffuse potentially violent situations?

4)      Why would social work practice in small towns place social workers at increased risk for violence?

 

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Playing the game

Journalist:  Interviews by Saba Salman  

Date:  August 1, 2007

Summary:  Social workers may present the worse aspects of a client’s situation in order to maximize the resources the client receives.  The client’s strength and positive aspects of their situation may be ignored.  Interviews were conducted with a children’s services social worker, former social services director, social worker with older people, and children and families social worker.  These interviews provide different viewpoints on this practice.

Relevance:  Examines ethical and professional judgment issues that arise when social workers advocate for client resources.  

 Questions: 

1)      What is the outcome of exaggerating client’s needs, bending the rules and taking short cuts?

2)      What is the most common form of bending the rules?

3)      Is bending the rules as described ethical?

4)   What are your views on radical social work practice?

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