Social Workers are Essential

 March is Social Work Month and this year's theme is "Social Workers Are Essential". 

This past year has been a once in a life time experience. It has shown the importance of taking care of our mental health and the impact that physical distancing, racial unrest and basic needs have on our mental health. 

From changes in how we interact with other people, how we shop, what we wear to the fear of contracting an illness we don't fully understand, we have all be under a tremendous amount of stress/ trauma. When students returned to school and adults returned to work it was not the same as the schools and work environments we left. Many of us miss normalcy and being able to be affectionate with those we care about. 

When the winter storms hit Texas and Oklahoma many were without power, internet, and water. Not only were there deaths and physical discomfort but we also lost our remaining mode of connection and communication, even if for a short period of time. Many experienced a need that they were not familiar with. Others experienced an exacerbation of already difficult financial times. 

As a social worker/mental health professional the one thing that has been prominent during these unprecedented times is the increase asks from the community. The public became aware of the amazing work that teachers do and how integral nurse, doctors and other medical professionals are in the past year. One group that has often been left out of this conversation is social workers. In our work locations many of us are being asked to take on additional duties or tasks because it is such a hard time for all. We did not receive additional time in the day or additional time to handle our own responses to these unprecedented times. 

We know that rates of abuse/neglect have increased as families spend more time at home without the ability to leave (1). We also know that more people are in need of mental health support (2). Many are without work, working less hours and having other financial crises (3). All of these things fall to a social worker or social services agency to handle. 

This Social Work Month, how can you support the essential work that social workers do? How can you lift the burden for a social worker in your life? 

1. Intimate Partner Violence and Child Abuse Considerations During COVID-19

  https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/social-distancing-domestic-violence.pdf 

2. The coronavirus (COVID‐19) pandemic's impact on mental health  

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7361582/

3. Unemployment Rates During the COVID-19 Pandemic: In Brief

 https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R46554.pdf

Join my bi-monthly Dancing Mindfulness class

 The full calendar of upcoming Dancing Mindfulness classes now available on Eventbrite. Link to register for class

Dancing Mindfulness with Stacia will be held on the third Thursday of the month at 8 PM and the third Saturday of the month at 1 PM. Upcoming dates: 

• 
  March 18th
• March 20th
• April 15th 
• April 17th
• May 16th
• May 21st
• June 17th
• June 20th
• July 15th
• July 18th
• August 15th
• August 19th
• September 16th
• September 18th
• October 17th
• October 21st
• November 18th
• November 21st
• December 16th
• December 18th

In Dancing Mindfulness, participants use dance to achieve mindfulness. The act of noticing without judging how we move, feel and think is integral to the practice. During a dancing mindfulness class or individual session participants are not taught to dance or required to achieve any specific level of dance. Dancing Mindfulness is trauma informed and adaptable to different ability levels. You are accepted as you are and encouraged to do what you feel. The facilitator will make suggestions during the class, but they are just that suggestive. 

If you have questions about an upcoming class or would like to book me for a special event/one on one session please reach out at staciabarrett.therapy@gmail.com

December's Dancing Mindfulness Offering

Following the momentum that was created during Black Healing October, I made the decision to offer a monthly virtual Dancing Mindfulness Practice. During Black Healing October I was able to witness the connection that was possible even through a computer. It gave me hope for future sessions with a new group of people. 

This month our goal is to cultivate joy in our lives with our practice. 

    Joy noun,  "a feeling of great pleasure and happiness"

Join in December 19th at 2:00 PM for a joyful practice. The practice will be 30-40 minutes in length. 

Purchase your tickets here

Reminder on Dancing Mindfulness: Dancing Mindfulness is a movement based approach that doesn't ask you to be a "dancer" but to allow your body to be moved by the sounds you hear. No dance experience is required, one of our goals is not to judge our or others movement and I have been told it is a fun experience. Some of the benefits are: healing, relaxation, connection, and novelty. Please contact me with questions and be brave in exploring something new. Dancing Mindfulness is a Trauma Informed practice, feel free to let me know how I can support you during the practice. 

What Social Workers love about their profession.

Years ago I offered a giveaway during Social Work Month, this year due to the stressful state of things I decided to reinstate this event. 

The prize for the giveaway

I asked for social workers to enter by telling me what they love about the social work profession. I love their responses and wanted to share them with you. 

*Social Work is a protected title, meaning that a degree and license are required to be considered a social worker.*

How to Handle Repetitive Heavy News

From deaths while in police custody/ during arrests, to news of the Coronavirus Pandemic, the News can be difficult to digest.

I often tell people that I don't watch the News, what I really mean is that I don't often tune into News Programs. I don't think that any one can really avoid the news. It is on social media, in commercials on television (even outside of the usual places i.e. ABC, NBC, CBS), in ads and suggested videos on YouTube, to conversations with friends and family.

While it is essential to know what is happening in the world around you. It is also important for you to take care of yourself. If you find yourself overwhelmed by the news, numb when another person's end of life requires a hashtag, or anxious about what will be reported next. Put a Personal News Plan into effect.

Some people limit their exposure, some may talk about how they are feeling with others, some may seek professional help, some may take breaks from social media, some may stop friends/family when they bring up a topic that is causing distress. Whatever approach you take spend some time today thinking about what your approach needs to be.

Below is a tracker template I created. Feel free to use and share your plan with others. (Screen shot and edit in your favorite app (The photos app on your phone or Instagram work well).

Let me know how your plan works for you. Also feel free to share your thoughts with me. 

Participant Testimonials

Amanda participated in a Dancing Mindfulness Session I facilitated during Social Work Month. The theme was Beacon of Hope- in keeping with the School Social Work Week theme for this year. 

Dancing Mindfulness

What is Dancing Mindfulness?

In Dancing Mindfulness, participants use dance to achieve mindfulness. 

Mindfulness-

• a mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique.

The act of noticing without judging how we move, feel and think is integral to the practice. 

During a dancing mindfulness class or individual session participants are not taught to dance or required to achieve any specific level of dance. 

Dancing Mindfulness is trauma informed and adaptable to different ability levels. 

You are accepted as you are and encouraged to do what you feel. 

The facilitator will make suggestions during the class, but they are just that suggestive. 

This great info graphic was created by Nicole Allen a fellow Dancing Mindfulness Facilitator. 

For more information please see the Dancing Mindfulness Website.