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IN THIS ISSUE
News
Feature Articles
Calendar of Events
In Print
Sites We've Seen
Job Corner
Newsletter Necessities
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NEWS
CALL FOR INPUT
If you are a BSW student or BSW graduate, I would like to know: What is the one question (related to social work!) on your mind that your professors haven't answered and that you wish they would? I need to know for an article I am planning to write.
Contact me, Linda Grobman, at
Thank you!
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FEATURE ARTICLES
IMPROVING THE TREATMENT OF MENTAL ILLNESS
By Congressman Ciro D. Rodriguez
(WASHINGTON, DC) For many of us, the holiday season is a time of year we look forward to spending with our family and friends. In light of the recent attacks on our nation and the impact they have had on all of us, the holidays take on an even more meaningful character. For many, however, this season is one not filled with the company of those closest to us, but one of loneliness and depression. Over 40 million Americans suffer from mental health disorders, and it is during this season of thanksgiving and goodwill that we should take a moment to help and try to understand those who so desperately need our attention.
As a former social worker, I have worked with those who suffer from mental health disorders. It has been my experience that the holiday season is the busiest part of year for the mental health caseworker. Victims of mental health disorders and their families feel an incredible amount of stress, depression, and other ailments. Especially after the terrorists attacks of September 11, cases of post-traumatic stress disorder are likely to increase.
Unfortunately for those who are afflicted with the various forms of mental illness, most of the American population remains uninformed about a disease that affects roughly 20 percent of the population of the United States. What is even more unfortunate are the countless young people and children who are trapped in this cycle that, many times, results in alcoholism, drug dependency, depression, seclusion, abuse and violence.
In combating this terrible affliction, it is important that we treat mental illness for what is. . . a disease. This disease is unfortunately burdened with an extremely negative stigma. We must work past our preconceptions about those who suffer from mental illness.
I have worked with my colleagues in Congress is to help create parity between the treatment of those who suffer from mental illness and other diseases. In 1996, Congress enacted the Mental Health Parity Act, which was the first step toward reducing insurance bias against mental health coverage. This year, the Senate passed legislation to strip away remaining vestiges of disparity. By voice vote, the Senate added the Mental Health Equitable Treatment Act to the appropriations bill for the Department of Health and Human Services. The House has not taken up similar legislation, but will be voting again on the appropriations bill after a House-Senate conference. I recently signed a letter to the House-Senate conferees urging them to retain the mental health parity provisions. Without adequate insurance coverage, far too many Americans will continue to go without the mental health services they and their families desperately need.
Opponents of this critical legislation claim that the correction of this insurance company bias will only result in the increase of insurance costs or even the elimination of coverage for some, but the long-term benefits clearly outweigh potentially small increases in premiums. The long-term advantages of this change would be healthier employees, less lost time for employers and, most importantly, adequate care for those who have been without for so long. The Wall Street Journal reported that mental illness costs American businesses $70 billion each year in lost productivity and worker absenteeism. This cost does not account for the terrible emotional impact on families and loved ones. Moreover, the Congressional Budget Office has estimated that the legislation would only raise premiums by 0.36% or less. In order to ease any possible burden on small businesses, the bill includes a provision that will exempt businesses which employ fifty or fewer employees.
The United Sates Surgeon General has unequivocally stated that distinctions between mental and physical health care have no basis in science. Education and understanding go a long way towards fixing this terrible disease. We can continue to improve the lives of Americans by taking the time to dispel the negative stigma surrounding mental disorders and beginning to treat mental illness just like any other disease. During this holiday season, I am encouraged by the progress we have made, but would like to remind everyone how far we still have to go in reaching out to those with profound need.
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Stop by THE NEW SOCIAL WORKER's chat room on Sunday evenings at 9 p.m. Eastern Time. Rich Bott, BSW, is doing a great job of hosting the lively discussion of social work issues. Rich has been a regular on our Web site's message board since his BSW student days, and he is a dedicated volunteer chat host! Beginning in January 2002, Rich will also host chats on Wednesday evenings, 9 p.m. EST.
To chat, go to our home page at http://www.socialworker.com and click on the "Chat Now" button.
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IN PRINT: 30% HOLIDAY DISCOUNT ON SOCIAL WORK BOOKS, ITEMS
White Hat Communications, the publisher of this newsletter, publishes several social work-related publications. We are offering a 30% discount to our newsletter subscribers on all of our products from now until December 21, 2001. To receive the discount, go to http://www.whitehatcommunications.com and click on the link to our secure online store to place your order. When you order, use Coupon Code ENEWS2001 when you check out. If you do not wish to order online, print out the mail/fax order form at http://www.whitehatcommunictions.com and include a note that you are deducting the 30% Social Work E-News subscribers' discount.
Here are some of the publications we have available:
PROFESSIONAL BOOKS
Becoming a Social Worker: Reflections on a Clinician's Transformative Journey
Days in the Lives of Social Workers: 50 Professonals Tell Real-Life Stories from Social Work Practice
Guide to Selecting and Applying to Master of Social Work Programs, 4th Edition
Lifebooks: Creating a Treasure for the Adopted Child (book of another publisher that we are selling on our site, autographed copies available)
Welcome to Methadonia: A Social Worker's Candid Account of Life in a Methadone Clinic
The Nonprofit Handbook
The Nonprofit Organization's Guide to E-Commerce
Improving Quality and Performance in Your Nonprofit Organization
MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTIONS
The New Social Worker: The Magazine for Social Work Students and Recent Graduates
CONSUMER-ORIENTED BOOKS
Why is My Baby Crying: The 7-Minute Program for Soothing the Fussy Baby
Choosing an Online Therapist: A Step-by-Step Guide to Finding Professional Help on the Web
For complete information on all of our publications and products, see http://www.socialworker.com and/or http://www.whitehatcommunications.com.
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SITES WE'VE SEEN
http://www.socialworkstuff.com
Social Work Stuff is a "portal" or "gateway" site, meaning it contains links to lots of other sites, all related to social work. This site is primarily UK-based and includes, among other items, links to UK job listings for social workers.
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JOB CORNER
Directions For Mental Health, Inc.
The following position is available:
School Based Program Supervisor
This is a responsible supervisory position providing leadership for an innovative program that is a partnership among various community service providers. This position provides support and supervision to those staff members serving elementary aged children, their families and foster care adolescents. Requires Masters Degree in Human Services, Florida State Licensure, and 3 years of supervisory experience. Base Salary $32,000 +
Apply by sending résumé to:
Directions For Mental Health
1437 S. Belcher Rd.
Clearwater, FL 33764
Fax: (727) 524-4474
E-mail:
Web site: http://www.healthehurt.com
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Arizona's Children Association
Child & Family Therapist
Globe, AZ
REQ # 01-114
Globe, AZ is an ideal location for anyone looking to avoid smog and daily traffic jams. Only 1 ½ hours from Phoenix, Globe is close enough to enjoy the many activities a big city has to offer. The year-round mild weather and beautiful mountains surrounding Globe make it a perfect city to call home.
Candidates must have MSW (or closely related degree) and child & family experience. AZ state certification (or eligibility) desired.
Send resume & REQ # to:
AzCA, 2700 S. 8th Ave., Tucson, AZ 85713.
Fax: (520) 624-7042. E-mail:
http://www.arizonaschildren.org
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Family Living Program Supervisor. 1 PT (flexible hours, 15-20/week) based in Carlisle. Wage over $10.70/hr. Background requirements include any combination of 6 years experience and/or education in the field, and a valid PA driver's license. Responsible for Assessments, goal planning, and assuring compliance with licensing regulations among other duties.
Apply to Gretchen at CPARC, P. O. Box 386, Carlisle, PA 17013 or call 717-249-2611 or 717-697-8343 or e-mail
AAEOE
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Social Workers - MSPCC
Early Intervention Program, Lawrence, Jamaica Plain and Worcester, MA. SW, LCSW and experience working with children birth - 3. Provides evaluation, center and home-based services. Bilingual in Spanish a plus.
Please send resume and cover letter to: Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, Human Resources Department, TNSW1130, 399 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116; e-mail to
MSPCC proudly values diversity. EOE. Visit us at http://www.mspcc.org.
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MSW/BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE SPECIALIST
Coordinate needs of patients with complex psychosocial, mental health, or substance abuse issues, and conduct mental health assessments. MSW or master's degree in a behavioral science; 1 year post-grad experience; and crisis intervention skills required. 45,000 population rural community at the base of the beautiful Cascade Mountains offers all-season recreation, 280-days sunshine/year, and affordable housing. Contact Personnel Dept: MERLE WEST MEDICAL CENTER, 2865 Daggett, Klamath Falls, Oregon 97601, 1-800-542-1656 (M-F 8:00 - 4:30 PST), E-mail:
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For additional job listings, see our Jobs page at http://www.socialworker.com/jobs.htm. This page is updated continuously!
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NEWSLETTER NECESSITIES
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ABOUT THIS NEWSLETTER
THE NEW SOCIAL WORKER® SOCIAL WORK E-NEWS is published by:
White Hat Communications (publisher of THE NEW SOCIAL WORKER® magazine and THE NEW SOCIAL WORKER® ONLINE)
P.O. Box 5390
Harrisburg, PA 17110-0390
Linda Grobman, Editor
http://www.socialworker.com
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Copyright 2001 White Hat Communications. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to forward this entire newsletter, with all information intact, by e-mail to social work colleagues, students, and others interested in social work, for personal use only. You may also print out this newsletter for personal use. All other uses of this material require permission from the publisher at
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