One of the hardest things anyone ever has to do is ask for help. We’re always told to pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps and fight through the pain and all that “chin up” stuff. But there are times when the asking for help will turn out to be the easiest solution to your problem, if you ask the right person. Often, that person is a Social Worker.
Surprised? You shouldn’t be. Did you know…
MPTF Social Workers
- 1. Social Workers can help you at any age.
- Whether you’re struggling to care for a baby in the neo-natal unit or interested in adoption, or if you have work-related issues or are dealing with an aging parent – a Social Worker can help you with everything from paperwork to finding resources and practical solutions.
- 2. Social Workers have the education and experience to make a real difference.
- Licensed Social Workers are college graduates, often with advanced masters or doctoral degrees, who have spent hours in the field managing a wide variety of issues. They know their way through the bureaucratic mazes that can confound an average person. They don’t just know what to do; they know how to get it done.
- 3. Social Workers are licensed by the state in which they work.
- Just like a doctor or a nurse or other professional, Social Workers must complete their education and training in order to be licensed to practice. In addition, many Social Workers earn additional credentials for a specific kind of social work, such as Family, Health Care, or Gerontology. When you meet with a Social Worker, don’t hesitate to ask about their specialty or credentials.
- 4. Social Workers are problem solvers.
- There are all kinds of details and specifics when it comes to describing the many, many things a Social Worker can help you with, but it’s easier to just remember this one thing. Something in your life has changed; something has prompted you to take action and find answers. Your Social Worker can help you find those answers and implement solutions – some of which you might not have even realized existed.
That’s their thing. Go ahead, ask. - 5. Social Workers provide more than 60% of mental health treatment in the US.
- Maybe you’ve got the “outside” issues managed – you hired the in-home health aid to help your mom; you found a local adult day care class; you’ve organized transportation for her; she’s all set. Now, what about you? Have all these changes upset or depressed you? Are emotional issues disrupting your life? A Social Worker can help solve those problems, too.
If you’re working in Hollywood right now, congratulations. It’s tough out there these days and I know a lot of people have been watching their nickels, hoping for better times. I also know there are people who are starting to wonder if they’ll make it to the next project. If you’re feeling the pinch, the Motion Picture & Television Fund is here to help you. We have a variety of resources to tide you over until you’re back on your feet.