XXXV No. 3 The North Carolina Social Worker Newsletter June/July2011 2011 The North Carolina Social Worker Newsletter December December2011/January 2010/January XXXV No. 6 XXXIV No. 6 The North Carolina Social Worker Newsletter 2012 Volunteer Spotlight Why It Can and Will Get Better By Ashley Shope, MSW, P-LCSW; NASW-NC Membership Committee Member ore than one-third of our LGBTQ LGBT Marriage Amendment, as well as the bullying that is hapyouth have attempted suicide. pening in our school systems across the country, I felt it was time Nine out of 10 LGBTQ youth in our social workers made a video, taking a stand for our youth and country are harassed daily in school voicing how it can and will get better. due to their sexual orientation (“It Gets At the NASW-NC Fall Conference, I recorded videos of approxiBetter,” 2011). These statistics, coupled with how LGBTQ colmately 20 social workers who voiced their thoughts on why it is leagues and clients are treated by people in our society, are two of important for social workers as a profession to fight and advocate the primary reasons I decided to put together a social work video for our youth who are LGBTQ. Every social worker’s story was for the “It Gets Better Project.” This project focuses on young passionate yet different; however, all had a similar theme reflectpeople who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, or questioning the core values of our NASW Code of Ethics. These values: ing and helps them see how love and happiness can be a reality service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, imporin their future. tance of human relationships, integrity, and competence are the M On the “It Gets Better” website, you will find videos from President Obama, Lady Gaga, and Hilary Clinton, as well as videos from every day citizens who support our youth who are LGBTQ. Surprisingly, when I searched for videos from social workers advocating for this cause, I found very few, which I found troubling. Because of what is going on in North Carolina regarding the Anti- Become Part of the NASW-NC Leadership Team Call for Nominations for the Chapter Leadership Election stepping stones to positive interactions with the people we serve including those of differing ages, races, ethnicities, and sexual orientations. To our LGBTQ youth in North Carolina, as well as around the Why It Can and Will Get Better continued on Page 4 Occupy Raleigh Activists, Supporters Needed to Foster Human Dignity and Empowerment By Michael T. Davitt, LCSW; NASW-NC Member ocial workers like to feel that they’ve made (Term Begins July 1, 2012) a difference in the lives of others. That’s why we From the President’s Desk, Credentials Received .................. 2 do what we do. I’ve been consistently involved with the Vice President (2 Yr Term) Treasurer-Elect (3 Yr Term) Occupy Raleigh Movement since October 2nd, the date of our first (1 Yr as Treasurer-Elect, 2 Yrs as Treasurer) New Members ........................................................................... ..4 Assembly (GA) in Moore Square. General Student Representatives (1 Yr Term) NASW-NC ................................................................................... 6 On October 15th, at the historic Capitol building, we held a large Committee on Nominations & • Graduate Ethics in Practice........................................................................ 7 rally attended by about one thousand people and kicked off a 24/7 • Undergraduate Leadership Identification occupation of the sidewalk on Morgan Street that lasted forty(CNLI) Chair (2 Yr Term) NASW-NC Board Minutes .......................................................... 8 District Representatives (2 Yr Term) three days until November 26th when the Occupiers encamped at Women of Achievement Award ................................................. 9 the Triangle, a privately owned, leased lot of land in downtown Delegates to the National • SouthIssue Central of the Month ............................................10-12 • CentralLDF Legal where Edenton, West and Hillsborough Streets intersect. That Delegate Assembly (3 Yr Term) • South Piedmont • Coastal marked a new phase in the local development of this young move• Western • Piedmont 2011 Student ATOD Awards ..................................................... 12 • 5 Delegate Positions ment and in the lives of its diverse participants. Advertisements....................................................................13-15 Our populist movement needs people to join us as we engage SeeMark PageYou 9 for details on how YOU can become Calendars!.................................................................16 and educate the public through a variety of activities and direct FY 2012 Leadership Vacancies S part of the NASW-NC Leadership Team In This Issue Occupy Raleigh continued on Page 5 New Members................................. 5 NASW-NC Board News..................... 9 President’s Message........................ 2 Legislative Update...........................6 LPU & Practice Unit Updates........... 10 Executive Director’s Message..........3 Ethics in Practice.............................7 Chapter Update................................12 Member Spotlight.............................. 4 Professional Development.............. 8 NASW-NC Articles........................... 13 412 Morson Street l P.O. Box 27582 l Raleigh, NC 27611-7582 l 919/828-9650 or 800/280-6207 l FAX 919/828-1341 2 December 2011/January 2012 XXXV No. 6 From The President NASW-NC ACTnowNC Social Workers! Board of Directors 2011-2012 President Tanya Roberts, MSW, ICPS President-Elect Jessica Holton, MSW, LCSW, LCAS Vice President Kelley Ryan, MSW, LCSW Secretary Candace Payne-Butler, MSW, LCSW Treasurer Georgianna Mack, MSW, LCSW CLNI Chairperson Gloria Cook, MSW Undergraduate Student Representative Braden Forbes Graduate Student Representative Erica Snyder Coastal District Representatives Elisabeth Bridgewater, MSW, LCSW Vacant Central District Representatives Joanne Caye, MSW Jamillah Bynum, MSW, ACSW, LCSW Piedmont District Representatives Felissa Ferrell, MSW, LCSW, CSW-G Lucas Vrbsky, PLCSW, MSW, CCJP South Piedmont District Representatives Felicia Parker-Rodgers, MSSA, LCSW, ACSW, BCD Sonyia Richardson, MSW, LCSW The North Carolina Social Worker Newsletter By Tanya Roberts, MSW, ICPS S ocial workers always act on something. We respond to disasters; we support those in need; we advocate for those who are unable; and we must also act on issues. For our state to build a strong future we must prevent many of the ills we face. Substance abuse is a completely preventable malady. More than 40% of people who begin drinking before the age of 15 eventually become alcoholics.1 In addition to the health risks, underage drinking cost the citizens of North Carolina $1.4 billion in 2007.2 North Carolina had more than 11,000 alcohol-related crashes in 2009; of those, 363 were fatal crashes.3 Alcohol use is also associated with 2 out of 3 incidents of intimate partner violence.4 The National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome estimates that approximately 40,000 infants are born with some kind of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, including fetal alcohol syndrome, every year in the United States – that’s 1 in every 100 babies born. The NC ABC Commission is committed to addressing these issues. Recently they launched the new website www.ACTnowNC.org as a resource for parents, teachers and our communities. This site is one place to find information about alcohol laws, research, treatment, the negative impact of alcohol on the fetus, youth, adults, and older adults, and the latest news and public service announcements. As a social worker, you can ACTnow by becoming a partner with ACTnowNC and by following ACTnowNC via: Facebook: www.facebook.com/ACTnowNC LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/groups/ACTnowNCorg YouTube: www.YouTube.com/ACTnowNC Delicious: www.delicious.com/ACTnowNC Twitter: @ACTnowNC If you are interested in learning more, please contact me at: Tanya Roberts, MSW, ICPS; President, NASW-NC - [email protected] l Western District Representatives Judy LeRoy Robinson, MSW, LCSW Sabrina Southern, MSW, LCSW South Central District Representatives Jessica Sawyer, MSW, LCSW Kesi Thompson, MSW, LCSW Eleanor Calabrese, MSW, LCSW Delegates Tina Souders, MSW, LCSW, JD Kelly Spanger, MSW, LCSW, MPA 1 NIAAA. Underage Drinking: A Major Public Health Challenge, 2003. 2 PIRE research report, 2009.www.udetc.org/underagedrinkingcosts.asp. 3 North Carolina Alcohol Facts website, http://www.hsrc.unc.edu/ncaf/index.cfm?p=home. 4 Greenfield LA. Alcohol and Crime: An Analysis of National Data on the Prevalence of Alcohol Involvement in Crime. Report prepared for the Assistant Attorney General’s National Symposium on Alcohol Abuse and Crime. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, 1998. XXXV No. 6 The North Carolina Social Worker Newsletter From The Executive Director Conference Scholarship for New Professionals By Kathy Boyd, ACSW, CMSW I t is with great excitement that I share with you the development of a new fund to support our social work members. The Conference Scholarship Fund was a concept originally laid out by the late Myrna Miller Wellons, NASW-NC member and devoted leader, and that concept has now become a reality. The Conference Scholarship Fund was developed to support our beginning career social work professionals by providing registration support for attendance at our professional conferences. We all know that our new graduates are entering a world that is a much different place than it was for those of us who received our degrees years ago. Today we see that more graduates have more student loan debt than ever before, there is more competition for jobs than ever before and it is an employer’s market. Many new graduates struggle with a beginning career salary, loan payments, fees for obtaining a license and fees for supervision and professional development.The Conference Scholarship Fund will support a few new professionals at each of our NASW-NC Conferences by providing assistance towards their professional development. I am asking you to join me in supporting our next generation of social work colleagues and professionals by making a generous and tax deductible donation to the Conference Scholarship Fund. One hundred percent of your donation goes towards the Scholarship Fund, as the Chapter donates all administration time for Fund management. In addition to gaining a tax deduction for yourself you will know that your donation will help those new professionals who follow in your footsteps, dedicating their life work towards helping those in need. Let’s make the next generation’s road a bit easier by showing our support and donating to our new Fund. Please fill out and mail in the donation form found on page 9. l Planning for Social Work Month is underway and the official theme for March 2012 is “Social Work MATTERS.” A key message for this year’s celebration is that social workers are the safety net in a civil society. Be on the lookout for Social Work Month events held by NASW-NC Local Program Units in March! 3 December 2011/January 2012 NASW-NC Chapter Staff Kathy Boyd, ACSW, CMSW Executive Director [email protected] Erin Timmermans Associate Executive Director [email protected] Kay Paksoy, BSW Director of Advocacy, Policy & Legislation [email protected] Hope Murdock Director of Professional Development [email protected] Valerie Arendt, MSW, MPP Director of Membership, Marketing & Communication [email protected] Debbie Conner, MSW Bookkeeper [email protected] Rebecca Duranleau Staff Associate [email protected] 919/828-9650 l 800/280-6207 www.naswnc.org Advertise in the Newsletter Reach over 4,400 Social Workers in North Carolina! The NASW-NC NEWSLETTER is sent free of charge to NASW Members. Nonmember subscription is $35 per year. Change of address notices should be sent to NASW-NC. Display Ad Rates Submitted in camera ready form: Full page $300 Half page $225 Quarter page $150 If typesetting is needed, add $30 for full-page and $15 for half or quarter-page ads. Classified Ad Rates Classifieds rates are $65 (up to 100 words), $1 per each additional word will be charged. Members receive a 10% discount on ad rates. Classified and display advertisements submitted are subject to approval. Acceptance for advertising does not imply endorsement by the NASW. Opinions expressed in the NASW-NC Newsletter should not be considered as being endorsed by NASW. 4 December 2011/January 2012 Member Spotlight XXXV No. 6 The North Carolina Social Worker Newsletter Membership Suicide - Personally and Professionally By Sean C. Pumphrey, MSW, LCSW; NASW-NC Member, East Carolina University School of Medicine A s I finished a presentation on suicide, a colleague, disturbed by statistics he’d just heard, approached me. As a family practitioner who’d lost a family member to suicide, he was particularly concerned to learn about the short time span that typically elapses between suicidal patients’ final visit to their doctor and their completion of suicide. My colleague confirmed my suspicion that when patients say they’ve been contemplating suicide, many physicians and therapists don’t know the key questions to ask these patients—and themselves. Suicide is to a therapist what heart failure is to a cardiologist. I’ll stay late or quash a subpoena for a person with an active history of suicidal thoughts or ideation. But, despite my best efforts, a patient considering suicide controls the situation, and the care provider often doesn’t understand that person’s journey or thoughts. Kay Redfield Jamison, PhD, writes in her book Night Falls Fast: Understanding Suicide, “No matter how much we may wish to reassemble the suicide’s psychological world, any light we gain is indirect and insufficient: The privacy of the mind is an impermeable barrier.” After a suicide, confusion, guilt, and agony flood in, even though, as Jamison points out, “Love, success, and friendship are not always enough to counter the pain and destructiveness of severe mental illness.” Jamison also discusses the controversial death of explorer Meriwether Lewis as suicide, noting that Lewis described his life as “indolent,” “filled with gloomy thoughts,” and failing to “advance the information of the succeeding generation.” Ironically, though Lewis considered himself a failure, my 9-year-old knows his name. In his song “Rhyme & Reason,” musician Dave Matthews sings, “My head won’t leave my head alone/I don’t believe it will ‘til I’m dead and gone.” This song goes on to express the pain of addiction and suicidal thinking—two highly correlated states. This song haunts me as well as enlightens me about the thought process leading up to suicide, especially in the case of Tom. A Case History Tom always “stuck up for the little guy” and was the life of the party and the spokesperson with a perfect balance of humor and eloquence, though he just couldn’t see himself this way. He was continuously mired in negative self-perception and self-doubt, which was usually caused by negative life events or perceived relationship failures. In 1978, when Tom was in seventh grade, his brother found a suicide note Tom had written. Then, between Tom leaving the Army and attending college in 1987, the same sibling found Tom overdosed on pills and alcohol. Tom’s stomach was pumped, and he was ordered into counseling. In 2000, Tom booked a hotel room and ingested enough medicine to kill himself, only to wake up the next morning saying, “Why the hell did I wake up?” He asked the same sibling to accompany him to a psychiatric hospital, where he admitted himself. After 11 months of Alcoholics Anonymous, psychotherapy, and psychiatric follow-through, Tom completed suicide in April 2001 even though his family had thought he was doing well. Suicide continued on Page 13 Why It Can and Will Get Better continued from Page 1 United States, please know this: NASW-NC social workers will never give up the fight for your equal rights. WE will not stop advocating for your right to be treated as worthy and equal citizens in our country. WE, NASW-NC, will not stand for, nor let groups of individuals, get in your way of achieving true happiness as a human being. WE will not stand by while you are bullied in school or in your community because of whom you love. WE want you to know that to us, each of you, are extremely resilient with so much to offer our society and our world, as you all are the leaders of tomorrow. Therefore, we want you to know it can and will get better, we will make sure of that. In the words of Harvey Milk, “All young people regardless of their sexual orientation or identity, deserve a safe and supportive environment in which to achieve their full potential.” Our hope for this will never be silent. l NASW-NC wants to highlight our amazing members! To submit a NASW-NC Member story, contact Valerie Arendt, [email protected]. NASW-NC Member videos on how “It Gets Better.” Clockwise from top right: Rafel Lane; Tab and Lisa Ballis; Beth Erb; Justin Mikel and her mother, Margaret-Ann Mauney. XXXV No. 6 5 December 2011/January 2012 The North Carolina Social Worker Newsletter Membership Welcome New Members! The North Carolina Chapter of NASW would like to welcome the following new members who joined during the months of June and July! They have chosen to support their profession and advocate for social work values by joining NASW. We hope that, as new members, you will consider sharing your experiences and perspectives and take an active role with the Association by joining a committee, attending a Board meeting, or participating in a Local Program Unit. Coastal District (A) Jamie B. Sessoms Rickoma J. Caldwell Dayna L. Farrington Michelle Fulk Christien Harden Carol S. Jackson Amy Moore Quinetta C. Rascoe Wendy E. West Central District (B) Marlen R. Alston Cynthia Clark Katherine L. Cooper Susan D. Couch Nicole A. Ellis Shaelon B. Goeddeke Gary S. Grubb Erin N. Holt Steven M. Jack Jessica C. Laube Hawa Owusu Christian Baker Rogers Wendy J.Ross Kimberly Ann Williams Western District (E) Ben Alexander-Eitzman South Piedmont District (D) Cara M. Beale Trina L. Bobo Kimberly Edwards Bishop Melanie Burzlaff Kailey Coleman Bruce Case Ariana DeToro-Forlenza Jamie S. Castaneda Madison Dillon Russell W. Dowless Heather Staton Colomb Kristy Green E. Kimberly Dunbar Katie Hadden Sophia Estrella-Thomas RobertG H. Lear Suzanne Frey Colleen C. Marchese Adrian Green Kristina Mejia Katy D. Hawks Kayla M. Moore Piedmont District (C) Lisa A. Jones Doreen Morici Sheneice N. Freeman Colleen M. Kinslow Darrah Noble Courtney Langhorne Marian G. Lechner Eric J. Oleson Sonja Long-Williams Debra J. Lester Leighton E. Pauly Caroline P. Mclean Jessica Rodrigues Michele A. Lewis Amanda R. Migliaccio Dina Rose Rachel J. Mann Sryrita Miller Samantha Sample Tara Ferguson Motes Deborah H. Moore Kristy Treadway Smith Cynthia L. Pender Ann B. Reeder Amanda Stem Amanda M. Reeves Jettana T. Thomas Sarah R. Smusz Charity Sneed Ashley N. Spence Tiffany Thompson Jessica Todd Thomas J. Toscano James Turner Kelly N. Vaughan Deni L. White Kimberly A. Whitehead Cora L Willow Brittany L. Zinser Occupy Raleigh continued from Page 1 actions. We’re all about raising consciousness and purging corruption from the political process. We hold GA at the steps to the Capitol on Morgan Street every night at 6:30 pm. It’s best to come earlier to talk with, listen and get to know the others and their perspectives. Populist movements need people on the street as well as behind the scenes. Many people “like us” on Facebook, about 8,000. Folks give us the thumbs up driving by, toot their horn. A bitter sounding, “Get a job” is the most commonly heard insult. It appears that the masses of people support us in spirit, but don’t yet care enough to show up in person, yet we press on keeping the faith, hoping more will step up to offer their support by coming out to be with us even if it’s just for a couple hours now and then. We see ourselves engaged in this project for years, not months. We’re a resilient bunch! I’m personally advocating for another major rally in the spring when we will be that much more organized and ready to enlist many more people to help us bring fairness and balance back to government. I liken my experience with the movement to the work I do with the military as a Military and Family Life Consultant, supporting and counseling soldiers from a particular community (post). Although, in this case I am a founding member of the community not an objective consultant which makes it much more challenging, as you can imagine. Still, I am using and sharpening the same skills and enjoying it. I believe this movement will be successful because it is emerging from the inside out of the hearts of the American people. It’s authentic, the genuine article, a true grassroots movement. In fact, it’s the broadest based social movement we’ve ever seen in our country. This is what American democracy looks like when it’s working well, when the people are engaged with each other ex- South Central District (F) Patricia Alliot Rebecca Thomson Blake Ebony R. Brown Patricia C. Caropreso Alexandra L. Chung Theresa P. Cole Samantha E. Daniel Lauren Diaz Julia G. George Emily R. Godwin Erin Gora Catherine D. Ladd Joseph H. Latterner Charles Chadbourne McClintock Andrea McClung Mollie J. Meisterman Justin B. Mitchell Katie M. Penree Michelle L. Perkins Tara M. Russian Doris Taitague pressing themselves, forming community. The Declaration of Independence states, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.” The founders saw the dignity inherent in every person. We can become empowered when we stand up, speak out and claim ownership of our own government. Human Dignity and empowerment is what social work is all about. I hope more social workers will get involved, help us to occupy our democracy. Occupy Raleigh invites you to find the way you can best contribute and offer that. You’ll probably sleep well afterward. It feels so good when we do what we truly believe in. I believe this movement is the newest form of civil rights. I see it as a quickening of the evolution of the human spirit in that it supports human dignity via democratic personal empowerment. We believe that human rights are superior to property rights, a corporation is not a person and money is not speech. Thomas Jefferson told us, “When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty.” President John F. Kennedy told us, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” After ten years of war, high unemployment, and the bank bailouts, we are left with a serious crisis in confidence. Do you feel the urgency to help get our country back on track? What will you do? Please visit us in person or at our website at www.OccupyRaleigh.org. Contact: [email protected] l Michael T. Davitt, LCSW, SUNY Stony Brook, ’86, is an independent contractor with an active, full practice in Raleigh providing school-based mental health treatment for young boys who qualify for public health insurance in the Wake County Public Schools. He also provides consultation for U.S military personnel as an MFLC in Europe two months each summer and again at Christmas time in the U.S., usually North Carolina. He is also developing a charitable organization: City of Oaks, City of Mentors, which seeks to link mentors with children most likely to benefit. 6 December 2011/January 2012 Racial XXXV No. 6 The North Carolina Social Worker Newsletter Legislative Update Justice Act, Repealed By Kay Paksoy, Director of Advocacy, Policy and Legislation Note: At the time this article was written, legislators had recently adjourned from another mini session and the Governor had not made a decision as to veto or sign the bill into law. L ate Sunday night, after Thanksgiving, legislators trudged back to Raleigh for another unannounced mini session. What was unannounced about the session was not that they were meeting; it was the content for this mini session. We soon found out that legislators were going to attack a bill that had been signed into law in 2009: The Racial Justice Act. The original Racial Justice Act allowed death row inmates to open their case on the grounds of being sentenced the maximum penalty due to racial bias. Though the Act did not allow the release of inmates from prison, it did take them off death row and, instead, sentenced inmates to life in prison if there was evidence of racial bias during their trial proceedings. The new bill, Senate Bill 9, No Discriminatory Purpose in Death Penalty, would reform the 2009 Act to be consistent with the United States Supreme Court’s Ruling of 1987 in McCleskey v. Kemp. The 1987 ruling was imposed after a study found that the death penalty was more often imposed on blacks and killers of white victims in Georgia. After an extended committee meeting to discuss the bill with public comment, Senators approved the bill from the committee and took it to the floor for a vote. After more discussion on the Senate floor, Senators approved the bill 27-17 with four Republicans and two Democrats absent. The bill was sent to the Governor after it passed the Senate; the same Governor that signed the original bill into law in 2009. NASW-NC was opposed to this overturn of the original bill. In 2009, NASW-NC fought alongside advocates to ensure the passage of the original Racial Justice Act legislation with the notion it gave equal protection without racial bias. NASW-NC is disheartened to see this law be overturned in such a quick, unannounced manner. It is possible that, even with the Governor’s veto, Senators can overturn her veto with enough votes. It is with the help of our members that we can voice the social work opinion on legislators and the Governor by making phone calls and sending emails on about important legislation. Thank you for being a part of our advocacy efforts. For updated information on this legislation and others, please contact Kay Paksoy at the chapter office by emailing [email protected]. l For more NASW-NC updates on the North Carolina General Assembly, check out Hull House NC, NASW-NC’s Advocacy Blog: http://socialworknc.blogspot.com Myrna Miller Wellons Advocacy Award T he NASW-NC Myrna Miller Wellons Advocacy Award is an annual award given to an individual who has demonstrated a strong passion to advocate for the social work profession and/ or policy issues. This nominee has been a champion in impacting policy both for the social work profession and the clients served by social workers. The Award, previously the Advocate of the Year Award, was renamed in 2010 in honor of the late Myrna Miller Wellons, a former Director of Government Relations for NASW-NC and strong advocate for the social work profession. Mrs. Wellons was a tireless advocate for many issues and a mentor to many social workers across the state. Award Criteria Candidates for the Award must be nominated. Nominees must be residents of North Carolina and have demonstrated a clear passion for advocating on behalf of social workers. The nominee can be a social worker, elected official, or anyone who has made a difference through advocacy. Everyone is welcome to nominate. impacting the social work profession and the clients served by social workers. Specific examples are required. •• Discuss the nominee’s involvement in professional, civic and community organizations, giving specific examples. Selection and Recognition of Recipients Completed nomination packets received by January 10th will be reviewed by the NC-PACE and Legislative Committees and considered for the Award. In selecting the Award winner, weight is placed on active involvement in advocating on behalf of the social work profession and/or social work client populations. NASW-NC recognizes the Award Winner in the following ways: Nomination Procedure Nomination forms can be found on the NASW-NC website. Forms may also be requested from the NASW-NC Chapter office by calling 800-280-6207, or email [email protected]. Nomination forms must be accompanied by the following documentation and received by the NASW-NC Chapter office by January 10, 2012: •• Press releases may be sent to area media. •• Information about the winner is placed on the NASW-NC •• History of employment and/or volunteer experience (with dates) OR resume of nominee. •• Discuss how the nominee has advocated for policy •• A photo of the Award winner along with an article will appear on the front page of the NASW-NC newsletter. web page. •• The winner is presented with a plaque at the NASW-NC annual Ethics and Recognition & Awards Conference. •• The winner is recognized at NASW-NC conferences they attend. Deadline for nominations is January 10, 2012. l XXXV No. 6 7 December 2011/January 2012 The North Carolina Social Worker Newsletter Ethics Ethics Corner in Practice My License Has Expired. The Licensing Board Can’t Discipline My License, Can They? S By Ravita T. Omabu Okafor, MSW, LCSW; NASW-NC Ethics Committee Chair ay you graduate from an accredited school of social work, earn your clinical license, and secure a clinical social work position. A few years later, you accept a position that does not include clinical duties. You decide, “Hey, I’m not using my license, so why should I continue paying to maintain it?” You decide to allow your license to expire. As the years pass and staffing changes occur, you decide that your agency “needs” your clinical expertise. According to the North Carolina Administrative Code, Title 21, Chapter 63, Section .0404 (found at http://www.ncswboard.org/): (a) Persons whose certificate or license is suspended for failure to renew, pursuant to G.S. 90B-9(c), are prohibited from engaging in the practice of clinical social work and from holding themselves out as certified or licensed by the Board until they apply for and receive reinstatement of their certificate or license by the Board. Yes, social workers in North Carolina have had their expired licenses disciplined. As professional social workers, we are responsible for maintaining licensure when providing clinical services. Section of the North Carolina Administrative Code, Title 21, Chapter 63, Section .0102 defines clinical social work as follows: (12) Clinical Social Work Experience. As it relates to the work experience required for LCSW licensure, two years of clinical social work experience in direct practice means the professional application of master or doctoral social work theory, knowledge, methods, ethics, and the professional use of self to restore or enhance social, psychosocial, or biopsychosocial function. Clinical social work experience requires the application of specialized clinical knowledge and advanced clinical skills in the areas of assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of one or more of the following disorders or conditions: mental, emotional, addictive, or behavioral disorders and conditions. In addition, the clinical social work experience may also include clinical case management, information and referral, mediation, client education, clinical supervision and clinical consultation that is directly related to the treatment plan or personal care plan of a client or consumer. Have an Ethical Dilemma? Take advantage of your NASW Membership Benefit! If you, a supervisee, colleague, or other social worker you know practices clinical social work without the required license, please share this article with them and encourage them to comply. Our NASW (2008) Code of Ethics, Standard 2.11 Unethical Conduct of Colleagues (found at http://socialworkers.org/pubs/code/code. asp) states: (a) Social workers should take adequate measures to discourage, prevent, expose, and correct the unethical conduct of colleagues…. (c) Social workers who believe that a colleague has acted unethically should seek resolution by discussing their concerns with the colleague when feasible and when such discussion is likely to be productive. When we renew our licenses, we affirm that we have reviewed the N.C. General Statute 90B, the “Social Work Certification and Licensure Act,” and Title 21, Chapter 63 of the N.C. Administrative Code and agree to comply fully with them. Please take time to review these documents found at www.ncswboard.org so we honor commitments and maintain discipline-free licenses for the duration of our social work careers. l Your NASW-NC Chapter Ethics Committee (CEC) offers ethical consultation to NASW-NC members. To request an ethical consultation, please email us at [email protected]. As we are volunteers, email communication allows us to receive and process requests most quickly. If you prefer to call, our phone number is 1-800-280-6207, ext. 300. When requesting a consultation, take note of the following disclaimer: DISCLAIMER: Please understand that you are fully responsible for your actions regarding your ethics question. NASW-NC offers services to assist practitioners in considering options. We are not responsible for any consequences that occur as a result of your actions. In addition to reviewing this email, we recommend that you confer with other colleagues and call NASW’s national Ethical Consultation Hotline (1-800-7424089, Tuesdays 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Thursdays 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.). As an NASW member, you may also contact Eric Marine (Risk Management Hotline, VP of Claims) at 1-800-421-6694. Since most ethical complaints get filed with the North Carolina Social Work Certification and Licensure Board, consider reviewing the Social Work Practice Act and the Administrative Code found at http://24.199.170.182/code.asp#500 to ensure your compliance. NASW Credentials Received! Congratulations to the following NASW members who received National professional credentials through NASW in October and November 2011! Brandi Marie Kohr, C-CATODSW Specialty Certification in Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Nancy Beth Lubowicz, LCSW, ACSW ACSW Certification Debra O. Moran, ACHP-SW Your NASW-NC Chapter Ethics Committee offers ethical consultation to NASW-NC members! Email [email protected] to request a consultation. Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Social Worker Lucas Vrbsky, PLCSW, MSW, C-CATODSW Specialty Certification in Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs 8 December 2011/January 2012 XXXV No. 6 The North Carolina Social Worker Newsletter 2012 Professional Development March Social Wo Conference and Awards Continuing Education I cannot teach anybody anything, Thursday, March 1, 201 I can only make them think. CEU or Contact Hour? McKimmon Center ―S ocrates Raleigh, NC Work EthicsBy Hope Murdock, Director of Professional Development K, so what is the difference between a CEU and a contact hour? Social Workers in North Carolina are not required to have the Online registration begins ards O Luncheon Most people use these terms interchangeably, but each of them official CEU. What is required is a contact hour. A contact hour is in J mean something very distinct and different. When a Social 1, 2012can Worker seeking licensure recertification credit calls the Chapter enter office to inquire about continuing education opportunities, they frequently use the term CEU. When selecting continuing education C the actual time you are participating in a workshop. Contact hours are what the Licensing Board is looking for. Mark your calendars for this special event! Our An The Board will does be not held requireatpre-approval of organized training the McKimmon Center in Raleigh, opportunities for yourself, be aware of what the differences are events attended by the social worker. However, your continuing kicks is offsubject our celebration Social Work Month while to audit. Forofa complete description between a CEU and a contact hour and how they could affect you. education activity s in January 2012 of what the our Licensing Boardproviding requires forEthics Social Continuing Work Continuing field and Education. The official Continuing Education Unit (CEU) was developed Education, please go to their website at http://70.61.113.172/ by the International Association for Continuing Education & conteducation.asp Brochure and Registration forms will be avai Our Annual Ethics(IACET) Conference Training and is a measure used in continuing education Raleigh, NC. This conference (www.naswnc.org). Sponsor/Exhibitor forms Still Confused? No problem. Consider this example using our are av programs. Generally, a CEU is defined as ten hours of participation which offers twenty hours of instruction. th while awarding excellence in in a recognized continuing education program, with qualified Clinical Institute site. For information on how you can volunteer or if ucation. instruction. concerns, please contact Hope Murdock a # or of CEUs =2 919-828-9560 or 800-280-6270 or [email protected] 1 CEU = 10 hours of classroom instruction Be aware!! Some of you may in fact need the official CEU for work, e available on our website or a particular kind of credential you are working on, however the s are available now on the web# of contact hours = 20 term CEU is in the public domain so any organization may award a eer or if you havewithout any questions 1 contact hour = 1 hour of classroom instruction “CEU” receiving accreditation from IACET. dock at the Chapter office: **Remember, contact hours are what the North Carolina Social aswnc.orgConfused yet? Don’t worry, you are not alone. Work Certification and Licensure Board is looking for. l Call For Presentations Ca Call for Presentations NASW-NC Clinical Social Work Summer Institute May 21-23, 2012 Hawthorne Inn Winston-Salem, NC Are you a seasoned LCSW that understands the historical development of clinical social work supervision and has a clear vision of the obligations of the supervisee and supervisor? If so, consider joining the 2012 faculty for the Clinical Supervision Certificate Training Conference. For more information, please go to www.naswnc.org July 16-20, 2012 Hilton Wilmington Riverside, Wilmington, NC For information, please go to www.naswnc.org The annual Institute has a casual atmosphere but maintains an extremely high level of quality learning. Participants receive up to 20 hours of continuing education, and many come back year after year. The Institute offers advanced skill training and introductory classes for both the beginning and experienced practitioner. May 2 Hawt Wins Are unde of cl has the s If so for t Train XXXV No. 6 9 December 2011/January 2012 The North Carolina Social Worker Newsletter NASW-NC Board of Directors The Social Work Profession Needs Your Involvement! Join the NASW-NC Board of Directors O ur Chapter is filled with social workers from across the state who work in a variety of capacities and bring with them different talents, interests, values and cultural backgrounds. What unites us is being a member of the social work profession. As the professional association for such a diverse profession, our leadership must be as diverse as our membership to represent the issues and engage in the activities that are important to each of you. Please review the available leadership opportunities and consider running for one that fits your skills and interests as a way of giving back to your profession and enhancing your own leadership skills. You may nominate yourself, a friend, or colleague who is also a member of NASW-NC. CNLI Chair Gloria Cook is available to discuss the opportunities with you and help you decide which role best suits you. Experienced leaders are welcome and new candidates are highly encouraged to run. Complete a volunteer application: On NASW-NC website, www. naswnc.org under “About NASW-NC” by January 31, 2012. NASW-NC 2011-2012 Board of Directors FY 2012 Leadership Vacancies Vice President: In the absence of the President, chairs the Board meetings and represents the Association when necessary. Serves on the Executive Committee. Treasurer-Elect: Makes budget reports to the Board at all board meetings. Chairs the Finance Committee that reviews the annual budget. The Finance Committee meets by conference call six times each year prior to each Board meeting. The Treasurer is bonded by the National NASW office. Serves on the Executive Committee. BSW and MSW Student Representative: Represents the interests and issues of social work students to the Board. Contacts student associations at all other schools at least once during the year. Prepares articles on student issues for the Chapter newsletter. District Representative: Represents their District on the Board. Promotes and attends events and local program unit meetings within their district as a representative of the Board. Assists in membership recruitment, involvement and retention. Committee on Nominations & Leadership Identification (CNLI) Chair: Identifies and encourages members to run for the NASW-NC Board of Directors. CNLI Chair is not allowed to run for office immediately after serving in that position. CNLI Chair is a non-voting board position. Delegate: Represents the membership of the NC Chapter at the Delegate Assembly held every three years. Encouraged to attend Board meetings but not required to do so and are not voting board members. Contact Gloria Cook, MSW; NASW-NC CNLI Chair for more information: [email protected] or (919) 244-7071. l YES! I want to support the programs of the North Carolina Chapter Fund of the NASW Foundation All gifts are appreciated and recognition of all contributions will be provided in the NASW-NC newsletter. I want my donation to go to the following program area(s): □□ President’s Award - Supporting MSW students with financial awards based on leadership. □□ Toby Brown Award - Supporting BSW students with financial awards based on overall excellence. □□ Conference Scholarship Fund - Supporting our next generation of social workers through scholarships to conferences □□ Outreach-Research-Education (ORE) - Supporting the development of professional social work materials, documents and presentations □□ Use my donation where it is most needed *DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE!* Name_______________________________________ □□ In Honor Of: (Optional)_________________________________________________ □□ My Address________________________________________________________________ Honored Individual’s Address (For Recognition Card):______________________________ My Phone #______________________My Email__________________________________ Amount of Donation ________$25 ________$50 ________$100 ________$200 _______Other (please specify) Check (Please make payable to NASW Foundation) Credit Card □□ Visa/MasterCard □□ American Express ______________________________________ Account Number Exp. Date ______________________________________ Signature Please make checks payable to NASW Foundation. Please indicate Award type in the memo line and mail to: NASW-NC, PO Box 27582, Raleigh, NC 27611 10 December 2011/January 2012 XXXV No. 6 The North Carolina Social Worker Newsletter Around the State Practice Unit and Local Program Unit Updates Health Care Practice Unit Update Submitted by Hope Rife, ACSW, LCSW; Steering Committee Member he Health Care Practice Unit has been working actively to increase the opportunities for healthcare-related content at NASW-NC conferences. Following a meeting of a small group of interested members at the Clinical Institute in Wilmington in July, social workers practicing in healthcare settings were encouraged to submit proposals related to healthcare social work issues for the Fall Conference. An impressive number of proposals were then generated, and the end result was a total of four healthcare-related sessions offered to Fall Conference attendees. Sessions offered included “Advocating for Our Profession in Healthcare Settings,” “An Overview of the Department of Veterans Affairs System of Care: The Who, What, When and Where,” “How to Use Lessons from Illness and Injury to Help Your Clients,” and “Aging and Healthcare: Can One Plan for the Future Based on the Present?” In addition, the Health Care Practice Unit met over lunch on Friday at the Fall Conference. The Health Care Practice Unit will soon be seeking proposals for healthcare-related sessions for the July 2012 Clinical Institute. Please encourage those you know who might have interest in presenting workshops on issues of importance to social workers in home health, hospice, hospitals, inpatient rehab, long-term care, primary care and other healthcare settings. We invite you to join the Health Care Practice Unit’s listserv to network, share ideas, and post information affecting social work practice in healthcare. To join the listserv contact Valerie Arendt at NASW-NC ([email protected]). T Contact Larry Peterson ([email protected]), Jan McNeely (janice. [email protected]), or Hope Rife ([email protected]) if you have questions about or interest in the Health Care Practice Unit. l Boone Local Program Unit Update Submitted by Judith Phoenix, MSW, LCSW; Chair fter many years of remarkable leadership, Dev Looper is stepping down as chair of the Boone Local Program Unit. Judith Phoenix will be leading our active LPU in 2012. However, Dev has promised to offer support in a co-leadership role. Our format is a monthly luncheon with a speaker and one hour of CE. A School of Join us in 2012 for our monthly potluck meetings: Monday, January 23: Angel McMann from Watauga Youth Network will speak on Mentoring for National Mentoring Month. Monday, February 27: “Working Sensitively with LGBT Youth: What Research and the Social Work Code of Ethics Have To Tell Us.” Presented by Dr. Kelly Williams. l Fayetteville Local Program Unit Update Submitted by Tanisha James, LCSW, LISW-CP; Chair he Fayetteville LPU will resume meetings in January 2012. Look for upcoming workshops on Understanding Needs of Women Veterans, Relationship of Pastoral Counseling and Social Work, and Celebrating Social Work Month in March. Each monthly workshop provides 1 contact hour and a certificate of attendance will be available immediately following the presentation. Seeking Leadership The Fayetteville LPU is seeking a co-chair to assist in planning and securing presenters. Please contact Tanisha James if you are interested in this leadership opportunity: tanisha@ legacycounselinggroup.com The LPU is always seeking presenters for the monthly meetings. This is a great opportunity to showcase your specialty and share your knowledge with other local community members. They are looking for presenters to help educate and bring together social workers in the area. Did you know that as you share your expertise with others, you develop the reputation as a thought leader in your chosen field? NASW-NC values your experience and extends the opportunity for you to share your knowledge. l T Orange County Local Program Unit Update Submitted by James McCracken, MSW, LCSW; Chair he Orange County LPU has grown tremendously in its first year! The current Chair is looking for a little help with organizing such amazing presentations. Please contact James McCracken if you are interested in this leadership opportunity: [email protected] Orange County LPU meetings are now on the second Tuesday of the month. Please join us! l T Social Work Updates Submitted by Karen Koch, MSW, LCSW; Greenville Local Program Unit Chair O n September 30, 2011, the East Carolina University School of Social Work held their Second Annual Alumni and Friends Celebration at the Brook Valley Country Club in Greenville. Over 75 people attended the event which raised close to $10,000 for the school’s priority fund. The event marked the inaugural ECU SSW Hall of Fame honoring a Distinguished Alumni and Rising Star Alumni. These two awards will be given annually to alumni who demonstrate outstanding achievement in social work direct practice, research, teaching, community organization, or administration and who demonstrate leadership and service to the profession, community or school. The Distinguished Alumni Award was given to Cynthia Asbell, BSW, Class of 1995. Cindy has spent her career on the frontlines in Child and Adult Protective Services. She currently works at Pitt County Memorial Hospital as the DSS Liaison for Adult Protective Services and Guardianship. Natasha Holley, MSW, Class of 2005, was presented the Rising Star Alumni Award. She is the co-owner and Clinical Director of Integrated Family Services, PLLC. Under NASW-NC Member her leadership Integrated Family Services Natasha Holley, MSW has implemented four mobile crisis teams serving 16 counties in northeast North Carolina. She serves as a Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) Behavioral Health surveyor and is a member of the Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers. l XXXV No. 6 11 December 2011/January 2012 The North Carolina Social Worker Newsletter Student Representatives MSW Student Board Member BSW Student Board Member A I Erica Snyder, MSW Student, UNC-Chapel Hill s I progress through my educational career I have learned of numerous social injustices that are overt and covert in our society. Learning about the injustice was not enough, I wanted to be involved in a profession that was actively engaging in societal change. I went to a trusted undergraduate professor and shared what I was passionate about and she suggested that social work may be a good fit. She couldn’t have been more right! It has been wonderful to pursue a degree in a field that supports my views on human rights and social justice. As I am nearing the end of my MSW program I look forward to taking the valuable skills I have gained into the community practice arena of social work. I plan to work in the anti-human trafficking field, I would like to raise awareness in the community about the issue and also educate and train people regarding human trafficking. I also see the importance of using facilitation skills to build a bridge between various disciplines who must work together in order to truly impact human trafficking. Long term I hope to be involved in policy and inclusive program development to ensure that this population receives holistic services and reduce the demand for human exploitation. When NASW was brought up during orientation I knew that this was an organization I would join. With all the different issues for social workers to address, I wanted to be a part of an organization that advocates for social workers and their clients. Since joining I have been able to stay current on policy issues that will affect my field and I have been able to meet some amazing social workers with incredible life experiences. NASW provides students with the ability to network with people working in our field of interest, provides access to multiple resources, and provides us with cutting edge information relating to social work. Why wouldn’t a student join? Being a board member for NASW-NC has been a wonderful experience. I am getting to take an active role in nonprofit leadership and I have met people who are passionate about preserving the integrity of the social work profession and advocating for the disenfranchised. I wanted to be on the Board of Directors to ensure that the voices of MSW students were incorporated into the dialogue and to help advance my profession. Being a part of NASW-NC’s board has enriched my final year as a graduate student and I look forward to remaining an active member of NASW as my career continues. l Join the NASW-NC Board of Directors as a Student Representative! Braden Forbes, BSW Student, Campbell University graduated high school in 2008 very unsure of what I wanted to do. I came to Campbell University as a communication studies major and realized quickly that I was in the wrong field. I did not know what to change my major to, but I knew I wanted to do something that involved helping people who felt they were not being heard. That following summer, I lived in Clearwater Beach, Florida, and volunteered at a homeless shelter weekly, which involved helping around the facility and talking with individuals and families that were living there. I learned that a majority of them were homeless because of a situation that was not their fault. During my walks on the beach at night, I noticed that a lot of individuals and families from the city slept at the beach because they had no home. This experience made me much less judgmental of people without homes. My eyes were opened to opportunities to help others and to my own potential to make a difference. A kind professor at my college showed me what the profession of social work can do, and I knew that was the right major for me. I know the occupation of social work is right for me because I can help people who feel like they aren’t being heard. I am passionate towards helping anyone overcome problems and to make their lives better. I am currently a senior at Campbell University. I will be getting my BSW in May 2012. I hope to go to school to get my MSW after that. Overall, I’m open to working in any field of social work. However, the medical and mental side of social work interests me the most. I’m currently doing my senior internship at Community Home Care and Hospice and I enjoy it tremendously. I am a member of NASW because I recognize that there are so many benefits to being a member: I can network with other social workers and learn more about social work. Students should join NASW because they can get to know other students who are in school for social work by participating in conferences. Students can also benefit from the lending library and job bank. I joined the NASW board because I want to be the voice for the BSW students of North Carolina. I want to advocate so that BSW students become more involved in NASW and I want to help them network with other social work students. When I became the Undergraduate Student Representative for the NASW Board, I did not realize how important that role played in the organization. The Board makes huge decisions in setting chapter policies. It is an honor to serve on the Board. l Attention Graduating BSW Students! A Reminder About the Toby Brown Award! The Toby Brown Fund provides an annual award of $1,000 to a graduating BSW student from an accredited social work program. The award is in recognition of outstanding academic achievement and field work. Applicants must be members of NASW and be involved in their school’s student social work association. The recipient can use the award in any way he/she chooses. If you are interested in applying for this award, please visit NASW-NC’s website under Member Awards at www.naswnc.org for an application. You may also call our office at (800) 280-6207, or e-mail Valerie Arendt at [email protected]. Applications must be postmarked by April 1, 2012. If you are a graduating BSW student, we encourage you to apply for this award!! Good Luck! 12 December 2011/January 2012 XXXV No. 6 The North Carolina Social Worker Newsletter NASW-NC Chapter Update What has NASW-NC been doing for You? NASW-NC staff is dedicated to advancing and representing the social work profession to best serve our members. In order to do this, we stay involved with coalitions and groups, Schools of Social Work events and other community activities. Please let us know of other ways we can assist you as a Social Worker and as a member of NASW-NC! NASW-NC’s five staff members represented you and the social work profession in the following state-wide coalitions and meetings: • • • • • • • • • • • • Joint Insurance Commission Substance Abuse Federation Action Marketing Covenant with NC’s Children Provider LME Leadership Forum (PLLF) Professional Association Council with Division leadership to discuss the Provisional License The Coalition (Mental Health Advocacy Group) Coalition for Persons Disabled by Mental Illness Medicaid Advisory Committee Meeting Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services Eastern Carolina University MSW Advisory Committee meeting Mental Health and Aging Coalition In addition to being involved in the coalitions above, we: • Hosted Annual Fall Conference in Asheville ♦♦ Our Executive Director gave personalized, • • • • • • individual consultations about practicing SW in North Carolina ♦♦ Held a Career Fair for Social Workers looking for jobs or to advance their education ♦♦ NASW-NC staff gave two well received, in depth workshops designed to help social workers get jobs in this economy. One was on resume writing and interview skills. The other focused on understanding, creating and protecting your online professional image. Spoke with students at Schools of Social Work Met with Legal Services in NC to set up a strategy to provide internships for social work students in Legal Services offices throughout NC Revitalization of P-LCSW Practice Unit Responded to members’ questions and concerns about the deemed status option for social workers to obtain the LCAS Established and began fundraising for the new conference scholarship program designed to support newly graduated social workers: NASW-NC Conference Scholarship Fund Responded to YOUR calls and emails asking for consultation and information. Thank you, the Staff of NASW-NC NASW-NC 2011 Annual Fall Conference by Kathy Boyd, ACSW, CMSW; Executive Director f you were not able to join us in November for the NASW-NC Annual Fall Conference in Asheville, you truly missed a major event of the 2011 year for the social work profession in North Carolina. I With a focus on career and professional development, the talents of your NASW-NC Chapter staff were on full display. Kay Paksoy and Erin Timmermans presented a session on “Understanding, Creating and Protecting Your Virtual Image” which had attendees asking for a full day conference just on this topic alone. working with your colleagues in Asheville, you can still catch up with fellow social workers by attending North Carolina’s largest social work ethics conference by registering to attend the NASWNC Annual Ethics Conference to be held in Raleigh on Thursday, March 1st. l Valerie Arendt filled in for an entire panel to lead a discussion on “Resume Writing and Interview Skills” and received rave reviews for her information packed session that went well beyond the basics of “just” resume writing and interviewing. Other sessions included those by NASW-NC members Hope Rife and John Rife who received excellent feedback for their session on “Advancing Our Profession in Health Care Settings”, which gave attendees solid and concrete examples and techniques on advocacy. The conference schedule included some thought provoking and controversial sessions that had attendees debating the issues and topics at hand. If you missed gaining continuing education credits while net- NASW-NC Fall Conference Volunteers from left to right: Elaine Sanford-Sawyer, Kathy Van Metter, David Saunders, Deric Boston, and Carolyn Boyd XXXV No. 6 13 December 2011/January 2012 The North Carolina Social Worker Newsletter NASW-NC Articles Suicide continued from Page 4 Like Lewis’ death, the cause of Tom’s death is controversial due to the combination of methadone and alcohol found in his bloodstream. Was it an overdose as he was attempting to get high? Was it an accidental or purposeful poisoning? Tom’s family will never know. The many variables in Tom’s case cannot be fully accounted for here; however, the history of ideation and attempt, the alcohol and drug use, and the negative self-perception and doubt are all elements manifested in numerous other suicide cases. In Pat Conroy’s book South of Broad, the main character expresses the lasting effects on his family of his brother’s suicide: “Somehow we managed to survive that day, but none of us ever experienced the deliverance of recovery. I realize you can walk away from anything but a wounded soul.” This statement powerfully resounds with me both professionally and personally because Tom was my brother. What You Need to Know Vigorous suicide prevention efforts have increased the awareness of certain suicide statistics in recent years. Most therapists know spring is when the most suicides occur, and women tend to use drugs to commit suicide while men are more likely to choose guns. But most don’t realize the majority of victims visit their general practitioners in the month prior to their suicide or that only one-third of victims leave a note. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (2007), research shows that risk factors for suicide include the following: depression and other mental disorders or a substance abuse disorder often in combination with other mental disorders (More than 90% of people who die by suicide have these risk factors.); • a prior suicide attempt; • a family history of mental disorder or substance abuse; • a family history of suicide; • family violence, including physical or sexual abuse; • firearms in the home, the method used in more than onehalf of suicides; • incarceration; and • exposure to the suicidal behavior of others, such as family members, peers, or media figures. Although women are two to three times more likely to attempt suicide, it is only the 15th leading cause of death for women; it’s the seventh leading cause of death for men, according to 2010 information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Minorities, Children, and Adults According to Nock (2009), the suicide rate among black adolescent males has risen greatly in recent decades. According to Joe and his fellow researchers (2006), it’s important for a clinician to recognize ethnic differences when assessing and treating black adolescents, along with paying special attention to black adolescents who present with anxiety disorder. In subsequent years, Joe presented research again demonstrating the association of anxiety with suicide attempts in black adolescents, most specifically social anxiety, otherwise known as social phobia (Joe, Baser, Neighbors, Caldwell, & Jackson, 2009). Some caveats to understanding blacks’ suicide risk include the fact that anxiety disorders and comorbid psychiatric diagnoses have been correlated as a predictor to suicide attempt, and three or more comorbid diagnoses increase suicide risk sevenfold. Joe (2009) reports that black adolescents living in the southern United States have a diminished risk for attempting suicide, perhaps due to the protective factor of cultural and religious beliefs. According to the CDC, only 0.7% of blacks’ deaths are attributed to suicide compared with 1.4% of whites deaths, 2.6% of Native Americans, and 1.7% of Asian Pacific Islanders. Within the latter two minority groups, suicide is the eighth leading cause of death, ranking much higher than it does among whites and blacks. CDC data show that Hispanic female high school students reported higher rates of suicide attempts than their white, non-Hispanic or African American counterparts. Research into childhood suicide has highlighted numerous risk factors, including a previous suicide attempt, depression, bipolar disorder, drug and alcohol abuse, eating disorders, chronic anxiety, homosexuality/bisexuality, the use of certain medications, and family history. Childhood victims of bullying or abuse are at increased risk of suicide, as are children who suffer stressful, psychosocial events such as parental divorce, separation, or a death in the family. Suicide, according to the CDC, is the third leading cause of death in people aged 10 to 24. However, in early adulthood (ages 25 to 34), suicide becomes the second leading cause of death. Our nation’s current economic climate begs the question of how closely suicide rates are tied to the economy. Although such rates for the latest recession are unavailable, previous research indicates that unemployment correlates with suicide rates, increasing the likelihood, according to the American Academy of Suicidology. Preventive measures regarding suicide include medicine and psychotherapy as well as follow-up care after hospitalization or a suicide attempt. Medication cuts suicide risk in half within one month of treatment (Mann et al., 2005). Additionally, restricting access to guns and lethal medicines that could be used to overdose can assist in prevention. Simon and Savarino (2007) concluded that psychotherapy and psychopharmacology help decrease suicide attempts, but more research is needed to measure psychotherapeutic prevention. Overall, suicide prevention and intervention is complex. Practitioners never know how many people they prevented from completing suicide yet are unfortunately left with the pain of those who have been lost to suicide. l References Joe, S., Baser, R. E., Breeden, G., Neighbors, H. W., & Jackson, J. S. (2006). Prevalence of and risk factors for lifetime suicide attempts among blacks in the United States. Journal of the American Medical Association, 296(17), 2112-2123. Joe, S., Baser, R. S., Neighbors, H. W., Caldwell, C. H., & Jackson, J. S. (2009). 12-month and lifetime prevalence of suicide attempts among black adolescents in the National Survey of American Life. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 48(3), 271-282. Mann, J. J., Apter, A., Bertolote, J., et al. (2005). Suicide prevention strategies: A systematic review. Journal of the American Medical Association, 294(16), 2064-2074. National Institute of Mental Health. (2007). Suicide in the U.S.: Statistics and prevention — what are the risk factors for suicide? Retrieved from: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/ suicide-in-the-us-statistics-and-prevention/index.shtml#intro Nock, M. K. (2009). Suicidal behavior among adolescents: Correlates, confounds, and (the search for) causal mechanisms. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 48(3), 237-239. Simon, G. E., & Savarino, J. (2007). Suicide attempts among patients starting depression treatment with medications or psychotherapy. American Journal of Psychiatry, 164(7), 1029-1034. 14 December 2011/January 2012 XXXV No. 6 The North Carolina Social Worker Newsletter XXXV No. 6 15 December 2011/January 2012 The North Carolina Social Worker Newsletter VANGUARD PROFESSIONAL STAFFING, INC. Social Work and Human Services Temps & Temp to Perm Open Recruitment statewide for LCSWs, MSWs, BSWs, other licensed professionals. Full-time and part-time opportunities. The Social Work Career Center is a robust career Web site for social workers, where you can search national job listings and find professional development and career resources. Visit the Social Work Career Center today to: • Post your résumé to reach social work employers • Search and apply for social work job postings nationwide • Receive e-mail alerts when a new job has been posted • Learn about social work salary trends, publications, social work practice areas, licensing, and much more. Call for Proposals Deadline January 15, 2012 The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) invites submissions of proposals to present at the 2012 NASW National Conference Restoring Hope: The Power of Social Work. General Submission Guidelines The conference will focus on best practices, policies, and research findings that incorporate hope and resilience into Social Work practice. Abstracts are encouraged in all Social Work practice areas, and at all levels of practice (micro, mezzo, or macro). Concepts of hope and resilience can be demonstrated through individual and group clinical interventions, care coordination, and resource access; as well as, organizational, policy, and administrative changes with all populations, across the lifespan. Agencies: Call us when you have vacancies, leaves of absence, or other needs for temporary or permanent staffing. Apply on-line at www.vanguardprostaff.com Or call 252-265-9033 Dedicated to the Practice of Social Work, its Professionals and Organizations Office Space Available Beautiful, large, nicely furnished office in suite of 4 office near Rex Hospital in Raleigh available 2 days a week starting January 2012. Large windows provide wonderful soothing atmosphere looking out on to large field, trees, and birds. 4 excellent therapists sharing suite, friendly and collaborative with possibility of referrals. Rent somewhat negotiable and includes: • • • • • kitchen, fax line internet access utilities and possibility of taking over lease in 2 years Please submit your vision for hope at Interested? professionofHOPE.org Call Jean at (919) 783-7077 or email at [email protected] National Assocation of Social Workers NC Chapter P.O. Box 27582 Raleigh, NC 27611-7582 Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAI D Raleigh, NC 276 Permit No. 816 PHONE: 919.828.9650 or 800.280.6207 FAX: 919.828.1341 WEB: www.naswnc.org NASW-NC Your resource for professional social work information, advocacy and representation. Mark Your Calendars! THURSDAY, March 1, 2012 Ethics Conference McKimmon Center Raleigh, NC April 2012 TBD LCSW Exam Prep Session Moses Cone Hospital Greensboro, NC May 21-23, 2012 Clinical Supervision Certificate Training Hawthorne Inn Winston-Salem, NC July 16-20, 2012 Annual Clinical Social Work Summer Institute Hilton Wilmington Riverside Wilmington, NC October 2012 LCSW Exam Prep Session Moses Cone Hospital Greensboro, NC 2012 March Social Work Ethics Conference and Awards Luncheon Thursday, March 1, 2012 McKimmon Center Raleigh, NC Online registration begins in January 2012 Mark your calendars for this special event! Our Annual Ethics Conference will be held at the McKimmon Center in Raleigh, NC. This conference kicks off our celebration of Social Work Month while awarding excellence in our field and providing Ethics Continuing Education. Brochure and Registration forms will be available on our website (www.naswnc.org). Sponsor/Exhibitor forms are available now on the website. For information on how you can volunteer or if you have any questions or concerns, please contact Hope Murdock at the Chapter office: 919-828-9560 or 800-280-6270 or [email protected]
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