Bluemidst, MSW 💚

Despite naysayers and rising costs, data shows that college still pays off for students – and society overall A recent survey shows a dramatic drop in people who consider a college degree to be very important from 2010 to this year.

There is ample and growing evidence that a college degree is still very much worth it.

Graduating from college is directly connected to higher entry-level wages and long-term career success, according to an education scholar. buff.ly/79HIRi0

NASW has produced two new resources to help keep members informed about top social work policies, and to offer them the opportunity to take action in response to cuts to government programs that support social workers and their clients. Read more in #NASW Social Work Advocates tinyurl.com/mr23ajne

Social Workers vs. AI Therapists
#NASW, state governments hold the line against unregulated chatbot therapy
tinyurl.com/2mbchkes #SocialWork #AIethics #MentalHealth #Therapy

Only 18 percent of American social workers are men. But in 1968, men were 38 percent of the social work workforce. Why have other historically female-led professions been able grow the male share of their workforce? Read more in the NASW Social Work Advocates magazine: tinyurl.com/2t5d22j6

I have a message to the staff at CDC who have dedicated their careers to protecting Americans from health threats of all kinds: Thank you.

Your courage and dedication have improved or saved the lives of people who may not even know it.

We’re with you.

Professor Elena Chachko co-authors report on international regulatory cooperation Chachko’s research for the Administrative Conference of the United States, authored with two colleagues, includes interviews with government and outside officials and a one-day public forum in Washing...

"It’s tremendously valuable for us academics to interact and engage with those who are doing the work in the federal government." - Professor Elena Chachko
@elenachachko.bsky.social

https://bit.ly/3HK4zNL

Unions aren’t just good for workers—they also benefit communities and democracy Rebuilding worker power by strengthening unions is not just good policy—it is a democratic imperative in the face of authoritarian backsliding.

www.epi.org/publication/...

Emotional attunement pro-tip: DO NOT say "you just need to" when offering support or advice. It is terribly dismissive and suggests that you know better than the person living in the problem.

Instead, try empathizing & being curious:
- Tell me more
- That sucks
- What do you need?

#TherapistSky

Clients don’t need your credentials up top.

They need to know you get what it’s like when your mom ignores your boundaries for the fourth time this week.

#therapistsky #therapistsconnect #blueskytherapists #therapists

I’m always encouraging clients to use gratitude for a mood boost, so here’s my gratitude for the day: 1) my husband bc I wouldn’t be who or where I am today w/o him; 2) clients who are dedicated to healing, esp when it’s stupid hard; 3) chili dinner & the nap I took after 💕
#TherapistSky

The First Steps in Working Effectively With Anger Anger is a natural human emotion, but holding onto and fueling it can cause harm. Recognizing and accepting our anger is a first step toward working with it in less harmful ways.

I woke up noticing how anger affects my body and mind, so thought I would share this in case it would be helpful to anyone else. #psychology #buddhism #therapistsky

www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/mind...

Remember: If we allow ourselves to fall into fatalism, or wallow in disappointment, or become resigned to what is rather than what should be, we will lose the long game.

The greatest enemy of positive social change is cynicism about what can be changed.

@brontyman.bsky.social

Framing care work not as something that’s about the home, but is about our economy, and the jobs that we have now, and the jobs that we’re going to have in the future, and making them quality jobs so that men will take them, is actually key.

A healthy economy depends on care.

When caregivers are paid and valued, families can work, businesses can hire, and communities can thrive.

@lenorepalladino.bsky.social joined @msmagazine.com to discuss what it means to truly invest in care: msmagazine.com/2025/08/12/c...

Find A Helpline | Free emotional support in 130+ countries A message from Jonathan: You got this. This tool is here so that you can find the help you and your clients deserve. You’re moments away from connecting with wonderful, skilled, and compassionate peop...

All social workers know about @988lifeline.bsky.social. But how do you find helplines around the world? I've had this resource on the Social Work Podcast website for years. Use this direct link to use and share. Check it out #SocialWork:
findahelpline.com/i/swpodcast

Surviving Survival Mode
A social worker reveals four hidden signs and offers remedies for
people who are living and working in a state of chronic stress.
www.helpstartshere.org/surviving-su...
#ChronicStress #BurnoutRecovery #MentalHealth #NASW #SocialWorkers #MentalHealthSupport #HelpStartsHere

Philadelphians with mental illness want to work, pray, date and socialize just like everyone else – here’s how creating more inclusive communities is good for public health Creating inclusive communities means not just offering services to people with serious mental illness, but changing negative beliefs and behaviors toward them.

Everyone deserves to feel connected.

With access to care, understanding, and welcoming spaces, people living with serious mental illness can fully take part in community life.

theconversation.com/philadelphia...
#mentalhealth 🩺

Early detection may help slow progression of cognitive decline & improve quality of life for #dementia patients & their carers. Learn about two UCSF-led programs that are providing tools to support cognitive assessment & dementia care & awareness: ucsfh.org/40o7MIS #ENDALZ

1) Law is a powerful social determinant of health

2) Reminder that the primary sovereign w/ authority to regulate for public health are states, less so the federal gov

Federalism -- both a sword and a shield and public health can be on either side of either one. #PHLaw h/t @aetiology.bsky.social

"If a state can't fully pay, they would have to cut many low-income families off #SNAP or end their program altogether." -
@katiebergh.bsky.social

It can't be said enough: Senate Republican leaders' cost-shift plan would cause deep harm. cbpp.org/research/foo...

Social Workers Prescribe a Dose of Laughter
Harlem comedy showcase is a safe space for up-and-coming performers who are trying to figure things out -- including social workers who are also comedians.
www.socialworkblog.org/members/2025... #NASW #NASW2025

Those cheering for war aren’t the ones who will be sent to fight in it. Remember that.

Learning to Embrace Your Emotional Vulnerability

Learning to Embrace Your Emotional Vulnerability buff.ly/bYc02NK

#Vulnerability #Emotions #Awareness #Fear #Relationships #Authenticity #Strengths #Mentalhealth #SelfHelp #Psychotherapy #Therapy #NewYorkCity #TherapistSky

Don’t lead your intro with “I’m a new therapist.” Just say you’re a therapist and let your client discover you’re amazing on their own.

#therapistsky #therapistsconnect #blueskytherapists #therapists

illustration: yellow moon surrounded by gray clouds Reasons to say no: You just don't want to. You need some time to yourself. You don't want to socialize. The person asking is impacting negatively on your wellbeing. Your intuition is telling you so. You're tired. You'd rather do something else. IG: myselflovesupply

For the people pleaser in all of us, learning when to say no can be tough to navigate. Here are a few suggestions to start. Feel free to add more. It will help someone.

#TherapistSky

Social security employees warn of delays: What the new priorities means for your benefits Social Security employees fear that adding complicated unpaid pension claims to their priority list will push routine needs to the back burner.

"If you need to update Social Security about a move or bank account change, it could take longer than usual...

"Changes like these may take longer, and thousands of Americans could see delays or even stopped checks in the meantime, employees warned USA TODAY..."

www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...

June is #MensHealthMonth
Men face real barriers to physical and mental health care—stigma, access, and silence.
Social workers are here to change that. Let’s support men in prioritizing their health—body and mind.
#MensHealthMonth #SocialWork #MensWellness #HealthEquity #NASW #NAMI

Medicaid is vital for access to substance use care—and social workers are key in that system. Cuts could harm both communities and the workforce. Learn more: www.socialworkers.org/Practice/Tip...

Many gluten-free foods are high in calories and sugar, low on fiber and protein, and they cost more − new research Although gluten-free foods are trendy, they are a necessity only if you have celiac disease or wheat allergies.

Many gluten-free foods are high in calories and sugar, low on fiber and protein, and they cost more − new research

#30DayChartChallenge Day 3 Circular

Here's a Voronoi chart (a circular one 😅) visualizing what social workers do, ranging from working with individuals ("micro") to working at the community, organizational, or policy levels ("macro).

Link: public.tableau.com/app/profile/...