The main social problem that I have identified and would like to address is the issue of mental health challenges among children. Professional social workers can use their skills and competencies to alleviate the problem, as they have to focus on its root causes, particularly considering that the kids are affected by the challenges associated with depression and anxiety. Due to the difficulties observed, they are unable to lead a quality life, and it becomes necessary for them to receive support from social workers who need to apply exemplary standards of care in terms of the management of mental health issues. Social workers can play a significant role in the alleviation of mental health issues among children, particularly depression and anxiety, through the application of the following skills and competencies geared towards enhancing child-centred care.
The initial phase involves situational and individual assessment to determine the root causes of their problem and the specific mental health issue they are suffering from, thus determining the right healthcare intervention. Such an approach can result in early intervention and prevention, particularly considering that social workers can work in various settings, such as schools and community centers. Their objective will remain to be close to the children, observe their behavior, and identify the signs of mental health challenges. By early identification of these challenges, it becomes possible for them to enact the right programs that can result in a supportive environment and foster healthy mental well-being.
Professional social workers have individual and group counseling skills and competencies that can be used to advance the standards of care and solve the challenges that push children to depression and anxiety. For instance, they can advise teachers and parents of the steps that should be taken to offer the affected children a safe space for addressing the identified mental health challenges. Such an approach is effective as it can result in a collaborative approach toward addressing the issue and ensuring that the healthcare outcomes result in a long-term solution. For instance, such a safe space can result in the child’s confidence and autonomy as they can express their feelings and emotions, learn the right coping skills, and focus on developing resilience. Social workers understand the need to collaborate with schools and families, as this approach can create a comprehensive and reliable support system. Such an approach focuses on the need to facilitate communication with teachers, mental health professionals, and parents, and the motivation is to create an enabling environment for addressing the identified issues that can act as predisposing factors for mental health challenges.
Based on the skills and strengths I gained from the School of Social Work, I will focus on professionalism and evidence-based intervention strategies for addressing emerging issues. For instance, clinical assessment and intervention skills can be combined with cultural competency to realize my goals. The School of Social Work centers its approach on equipping students with the right skills and competencies for engaging children with mental health issues and their environment, primarily comprised of parents and teachers. The recommended approaches must include understanding and application of diagnostic criteria, conducting assessments, and implementing evidence-based interventions. The social workers must also be culturally competent, as this skill can enable them to make the right decisions and determine the scope and mode of interaction with the children and their parents (Greene-Moton & Minkler, 2020). Culture impacts behavior and, thus, interpersonal relations, which means that it plays a critical role in the decision-making processes.
The School of Social Work equips students with the right skills and competencies for addressing various issues, including mental health. When focusing on children, it is necessary to take the right approach to engaging them and their teachers and parents, and among the initiatives that must be considered is cultural competence. The overall goal must remain to promote their well-being and create a supportive and inclusive environment for their growth and development.
References
Greene-Moton, E., & Minkler, M. (2020). Cultural competence or cultural humility? Moving beyond the debate. Health promotion practice, 21(1), 142-145. https://doi.org/10.1177/1524839919884912
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