Recently, I spoke with a physician who shared the profound impact a social worker had on her career. We were discussing the needs of individuals nearing the end of life. She explained that, as a doctor, she had always been taught that success meant keeping the patient alive. However, with experience she came to accept that there comes a point when every life will end.
She described an epiphany she had one day while feeling particularly discouraged that she could do nothing more to help a dying patient. As she reviewed the patient’s chart, she read a note written by the social worker documenting that active listening and emotional support had been provided to the client.
This concept was new to the physician. She realized that by simply offering compassion, support, and understanding, she was in fact doing something meaningful to help the patient.
Social workers are trained to see the whole person– each individual within the context of their environment and life circumstances. In our fast-paced society, many people rarely feel truly listened to or heard. Yet this simple act can make all the difference in how someone processes their experience, copes with challenges, and prepares to take the next steps in their life.
I truly feel that this aspect of my social worker training has had a profound impact on who I am as a person and how I interact with the world around me.
March is recognized as National Social Work month. It was first organized in March of 1963 by the National Association of Social Workers to encourage public support for the profession. As a social worker myself, I have a deep appreciation for the many roles social workers play in people’s lives.
This year’s theme is “Social Workers: Uplift. Defend. Transform.” This is central to the mission of the profession, which is to enhance human well-being, meet the basic human needs of all people, and put special attention on the needs and empowerment of people who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty.
Social workers can be found in a wide range of workplaces. You may see one in a school setting providing support to a teenager who is struggling and has little support at home. You may find a social worker at a home health agency coordinating resources for a person with an acute illness. Or a social worker may provide case management to a family who is experiencing homelessness to connect them to housing and job training programs. Whether they work directly with people or oversee programs, their role is always focused on ensuring that the dignity and worth of every client is valued.
At Senior Concerns, where I work, we have a team of social workers who provide a number of support services to older adults and family caregivers. They lead support groups, offer one-on-one consultations, and ensure our home delivered meal clients have what they need to live safe and healthy at home.
Social workers do many tangible things– helping people access benefits, connecting them with resources, and guiding them through complex systems to find a path forward. Yet it is often the quieter parts of their work that go unnoticed.
It is the metaphorical hand holding—the moments when they help people find the words to express difficult feelings. It is the guidance they offer as individuals learn to accept circumstances as they are while identifying small, meaningful steps toward larger goals.
These quiet spaces are where people feel supported, motivated, and emotionally held during some of their most challenging times. For these reasons, I want to thank the social workers in our community for being there when they are needed most.
If you know a social worker or have been fortunate enough to have one support you along the way, take this month as a reminder to say thank you for all they do.
Martha Shapiro can be reached at Senior Concerns at 805-497-0189 or by email at mshapiro@seniorconcerns.org.
