Social Workers Boosting Expertise on Money Woes
from The Associated Press
 Against the backdrop of the economic meltdown, a movement is building within the ranks of America's social workers to make their profession more adept at helping clients overcome financial woes. Since they emerged on the scene in the late 19th century, social workers traditionally have sought to improve the lot of the poor. More
What a Difference 40 Years Makes...
from NASW IL
 Besides the Bulls Championship celebrations in the 1990s, Lollapalooza, the Taste of Chicago, or the Grant Park Symphony, there had not been a political rally at Grant Park since the 1968 Democratic Convention. As a 9 year old, NASW IL Executive Director Joel Rubin watched images of the clashes between Chicago police and protesters of the war in Vietnam on television, while listening to the phone calls coming into our house from friends of my parents who were caught in the crossfire. More
How Obama's Win may Impact Americans' Mental Health
from USA Today
Improved race relations and short-term relief from soaring stress levels are among the likely after-effects of Barack Obama's presidential victory, say experts in mental health and race relations. The emotion-filled election came at a time of great anxiety, says Richard Chaifetz, CEO of ComPsych, the largest U.S. employee assistance mental health provider. More
When the Cupboard is Bare
from The New York Times
Rebecca Muscarello had long worked as a secretary, so she never imagined that at age 35 she would be left with no choice but to take her two children to a food pantry to get groceries. But like a growing number of Americans whose jobs have evaporated in a shrinking economy, Muscarello ran out of money and then food. Since the spring, the number of people showing up hungry at food pantries and soup kitchens has surged. More
Chicago Neighborhood Agency Gives Guidance, Therapy to Families Facing Homelessness
from The Chicago Tribune
Four-year-old Timothy Jackson clambered onto his mother's lap for a story, pointing out his ABCs on the pages. The Jacksons participate in the Shelter Outreach Services Program at Beacon Therapeutic in the southwest side of Chicago. But the preschooler is not the only eager student in the family. More
Major Mental Health Associations Join to Support 'Give an Hour'
from National Association of Social Workers
Four major mental health associations in the United States – American Association of Pastoral Counselors, American Psychiatric Association, American Psychological Association and the National Association of Social Workers – have joined to support Give an Hour's efforts to provide free mental health services to returning troops and their families. More
18-year-old Abandoned under Nebraska Safe-Haven Law
from The Associated Press
Police say a woman has abandoned her 18-year-old daughter at a Lincoln, Neb., hospital, saying she can't control the girl, in what may be the latest use of Nebraska's unique safe-haven law. If the young woman's status is confirmed by the state, she would be the 30th child abandoned under Nebraska's safe-haven law since it went into effect in July. More
Bullies May Get Kick Out of Seeing Others in Pain
from MSNBC
Brain scans of teens with a history of aggressive bullying behavior suggest that they may actually get pleasure out of seeing someone else in pain, U.S. researchers said. While this may come as little surprise to those who have been victimized by bullies, it is not what the researchers expected, said Benjamin Lahey of the University of Chicago, who worked on the study. More
Disability and Social Stigma - Do the Disabled Need Help? Or Do We Need the Help?
from The American Chronicle
An estimated 15 to 20 percent of the population suffers from one or more disabilities. A few of these disabilities are "visible disabilities." Invisible disabilities bring with them social stigma. More
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