Social workers as super-heroes | Anna Scheyett | TEDxColumbiaSC

Summary

The speaker passionately advocates for social workers as unsung heroes, akin to superheroes, emphasizing their education and commitment to community well-being and justice. Social workers are portrayed as essential at various life stages, from helping premature babies' parents to assisting the elderly with end-of-life care. The narrative highlights their ability to identify and leverage individuals' strengths, exemplified through a story of a socially isolated man with a talent for radio listening who finds purpose and community. The speech concludes with an empowering message, encouraging everyone to embrace the support of social workers and discover their own 'super powers' to overcome life's challenges.

Takeaways

• 🦸‍♂️ Social workers are likened to superheroes because they step in during life's toughest challenges.
• 👩‍🎓 Social workers are educated professionals who undergo rigorous training in accredited university programs.
• 🌍 Social workers promote individual and community well-being while fighting social injustice.
• 🔗 They understand the complex connections between individuals, families, communities, and societal structures.
• 💪 Social workers are trained to make powerful changes through evidence-based interventions.
• 🧠 Nearly 70% of mental health services in the US are provided by social workers.
• 🏥 Social workers assist at various life stages, from premature birth to end-of-life care.
• 🌱 Social workers help people find their strengths, enabling them to overcome personal challenges.
• 📻 A social worker's ability to recognize and utilize a person's strengths can transform lives, as seen in the story of Bob.
• 💼 Social workers play crucial roles in managing non-profit agencies, organizing communities, and advocating for just laws and policies.

Q & A

What does the speaker compare social workers to in the script?

The speaker compares social workers to super heroes, emphasizing their role in helping individuals and communities face challenges.

How does the speaker describe the typical image of a social worker before they attempt to change the perception?

Initially, the speaker describes social workers as being perceived either as people peering suspiciously at parenting skills or as overly idealistic individuals associated with peace and love, which are not the first things that come to mind when thinking of a super hero.

What is the main mission of social work according to the script?

The main mission of social work is to promote and support individual and community well-being and to fight social injustice.

What kind of education do social workers receive that qualifies them as 'super heroes'?

Social workers are educated professionals who go through accredited university programs grounded in rigorous research, which equips them with the knowledge and skills necessary to make positive changes in people's lives.

How do social workers help with challenges faced at different stages of life?

Social workers assist at various life stages, from helping premature babies' parents navigate healthcare challenges, to supporting students facing bullying or considering dropping out, to providing counseling and therapy for adults dealing with issues like divorce or unemployment, and even assisting with end-of-life issues for the elderly.

What percentage of mental health services in the country are provided by social workers, as mentioned in the script?

The script states that nearly 70% of mental health services in the country are provided by social workers.

How does the speaker illustrate the concept of finding one's 'super power' through a social worker's help?

The speaker shares a story about a social worker named Martha who helped a man named Bob, who had a severe mental illness, find employment by leveraging his ability to listen to the radio. This example shows how social workers can help individuals identify and utilize their strengths.

What is the significance of the mug with the phrase 'I'm a social worker, what's your super power?' mentioned in the script?

The mug's phrase highlights the social workers' approach to identifying and empowering individuals by recognizing and building upon their strengths, which is likened to discovering one's 'super power'.

What role do social workers play in the broader community and societal structures?

Social workers play a crucial role in running non-profit agencies, organizing communities, and advocating for just and fair laws and policies, which shows their impact extends beyond individual cases to the societal level.

How does the speaker encourage the audience to view their potential need for a social worker?

The speaker encourages the audience to view the need for a social worker as a normal and positive aspect of life, assuring them that social workers are like super heroes who can help them find their own strength to overcome life's challenges.

What is the final message the speaker conveys about social workers?

The final message is that social workers are invaluable resources who can help anyone facing significant life challenges and that they can also help individuals discover their own strengths or 'super powers'.

Outlines

00:00

🦸‍♂️ The Superhero Social Workers

The speaker passionately introduces the concept of social workers as real-life superheroes, emphasizing their crucial role in society. They dispel common misconceptions about social workers, highlighting their professional training and education grounded in rigorous research. Social workers are portrayed as individuals who promote community well-being and fight against social injustice. They are equipped with the ability to identify and understand complex connections between individuals and their environment, and they apply evidence-based interventions to address societal issues. The speaker also points out that everyone will likely need a social worker at some point in their lives, as they provide support across various life challenges, from childhood to old age. The narrative concludes with the idea that social workers help individuals discover their own strengths, akin to uncovering a superpower, to overcome life's obstacles.

05:00

🎓 Transforming Lives: The Power of Social Work

The speaker shares a compelling story about a social worker named Martha and her intern's experience with a client named Bob, who had a severe mental illness and was isolated. Through a creative intervention, Martha helped Bob leverage his exceptional ability to listen to the radio by finding him a volunteer position at the local coast guard office. This opportunity not only provided Bob with a job and social interactions but also transformed his life by giving him a sense of purpose and community. The story illustrates the transformative power of social work and the ability of social workers to identify and amplify an individual's strengths, or 'superpowers,' to improve their quality of life. The speaker concludes by encouraging the audience to embrace the help of social workers when facing life's challenges, as they are equipped to assist in discovering one's inner strengths.

Keywords

💡Super Hero

In the context of the video, a 'Super Hero' is metaphorically used to describe social workers who are portrayed as everyday heroes, capable of tackling life's challenges alongside individuals. The speaker emphasizes that social workers are not just compassionate but also educated professionals who can make significant changes in people's lives. The term is used to inspire a new perspective on the role of social workers, as seen when the speaker says, 'Social workers are not just nice people with good hearts, Social workers are educated professionals...'

💡Social Workers

Social workers are the central focus of the video. They are defined as educated professionals who undergo accredited university programs and are grounded in rigorous research. Their mission is to promote individual and community well-being and fight social injustice. The video highlights the diverse roles social workers play, from hospital to school settings, and their impact on various stages of life, as illustrated by the speaker's examples of different scenarios where social workers make a difference.

💡Challenges

The term 'Challenges' is used throughout the script to describe the various difficulties individuals face at different stages of their lives. These challenges serve as the backdrop against which social workers are presented as heroes, stepping in to assist and support. For instance, the speaker mentions premature birth, bullying, unemployment, and end-of-life issues as examples of challenges where social workers provide crucial support.

💡Evidence-Based Interventions

This concept refers to the use of interventions that are supported by scientific evidence to solve problems. In the video, the speaker explains that social workers are trained to apply these interventions to address issues at various levels, such as individual, family, or community. The term is used to highlight the专业性 and effectiveness of social work practices, as the speaker states, '...we learn evidence-based interventions, that can help solve the problems around those tangles and breaks.'

💡Inner Connections

The 'Inner Connections' mentioned in the video refer to the intricate relationships between individuals and their environment, including family, neighborhood, community, laws, and policies. Social workers are depicted as professionals who understand these connections and how disruptions can lead to problems. This concept is integral to the video's message about the holistic approach of social work, as the speaker explains, '...we learn how to see and understand the invisible inner connections, between people...'

💡Well-Being

Well-being is a key concept in the video, emphasizing the ultimate goal of social work, which is to promote and support the well-being of individuals and communities. The speaker connects this concept to the broader mission of social workers, who aim to improve life conditions and fight against social injustice. The term is used in the context of the speaker's assertion that 'The mission of social work is to promote and support, individual and community well-being, and to fight social injustice.'

💡Social Injustice

Social injustice is presented as a societal issue that social workers actively combat. It refers to unfair treatment of individuals or groups within a society, which social workers aim to address through their work. The video positions social workers as champions of justice, striving to create equitable conditions for all, as indicated by the speaker's mention of '...and to fight social injustice.'

💡Strengths

The concept of 'Strengths' in the video is about identifying and leveraging the inherent abilities or positive qualities of individuals. Social workers are portrayed as facilitators who help people discover and utilize their strengths to overcome challenges. This is exemplified in the story of Bob, where the social worker helps him find a role that capitalizes on his ability to listen to the radio, ultimately leading to employment and social integration.

💡End-of-Life Issues

End-of-Life Issues are discussed in the video as complex and sensitive matters that social workers help navigate, such as elderly care, wills, and power-of-attorney. These issues are highlighted to show the broad spectrum of services social workers provide, particularly in the context of geriatric social work. The speaker uses this term to emphasize the role of social workers in handling delicate and critical life transitions, as in '...those really tough end-of-life issues: your 86 year old dad has Parkinson's disease...'

💡Community Organizing

Community Organizing is mentioned as one of the many hats social workers wear, where they work to improve community structures and advocate for just laws and policies. This concept underscores the video's portrayal of social workers as change agents at the societal level. The speaker includes this in the broader scope of social work, stating, 'Who's organizing the community? Who's fighting to make sure the laws and the policies are just and fair?'

Highlights

The theme song's message about the universal need for heroes resonates with the speaker's love for the song.

The concept of a 'super hero' is introduced as someone who fearlessly faces life's challenges alongside others.

The revelation that social workers are the 'super heroes' disguised as ordinary people in our society.

The applause and cheers for the recognition of social workers as heroes.

A challenge to the common stereotypes of social workers, suggesting they are more than just nice people.

The educational background and rigorous training of social workers, setting them apart as professionals.

The mission of social work to promote well-being and fight social injustice, highlighting their role as change agents.

The unique ability of social workers to understand and address the complex interconnections affecting individuals and communities.

The importance of evidence-based interventions in solving social problems, a key skill of social workers.

The universal need for social workers at some point in everyone's life due to inevitable challenges.

Examples of how social workers assist at various life stages, from premature birth to end-of-life issues.

The significant role social workers play in providing mental health services, accounting for nearly 70% of the total.

The broader impact of social workers in running non-profit agencies, organizing communities, and advocating for just laws and policies.

The metaphor of the social worker's mug with the question 'What's your super power?', emphasizing their strength-based approach.

The story of Bob, who found purpose and community through his 'super power' of radio listening, thanks to a social worker's intervention.

The final message encouraging people to seek out social workers when facing life's challenges, and to embrace their own 'super powers'.

The closing applause, reflecting the audience's appreciation for the insights shared about social workers.

Transcripts

Translator: Reviewer: Denise RQ

I have a theme song, come on!

I love this song!

And I love this song because everybody needs a hero.

And, in fact, at some point, when life throws us a big challenge,

we need a super hero!

Somebody who is not scared to jump into the chaos

and fight the good fight with us shoulder to shoulder, right?

So I've got good news for you today.

Because all around the world,

cleverly disguised as mild mannered individuals,

we have thousands of super heroes,

over 600,000 of them in the US alone.

We just call them social workers.

(Applause) (Cheers)

Now, for some of you, when I said super hero,

that might not have been the first thing that popped

into your head was social worker.

Maybe what popped into your head

was something a little more like this

(Laughter)

peering suspiciously at your parenting skills.

(Laughter)

Or, if not, maybe like this:

Peace and love and singing Kum By YaH.

Well, I'm here to tell you social workers are neither of those things.

My goal when you leave today is that the image you conjure

when you hear social worker looks a little more like this.

(Laughter)

Social worker as super hero.

And I want to spend the next couple of minutes talking to you about that.

Social workers are not just nice people with good hearts,

Social workers are educated professionals

who go through accredited university programs

that are grounded in a rigorous research base.

And what they learn there is part of what makes them a super hero.

The two biggest things?

They learn their mission, and they learn how to make change happen.

The mission of social work is to promote and support

individual and community well-being,

and to fight social injustice.

Social workers do that because we learn

how to see and understand the invisible inner connections

between people, and their families, and their neighborhood,

and their community, and society, and laws, and policies.

And we know that when those connections tangle or break at any of those levels,

problems happen.

So we learn evidence-based interventions

that can help solve the problems around those tangles and breaks.

And with that, we can make powerful change happen.

A second reason I like to think of social workers as super heroes

is because, just like with a super hero,

everyone is going to need a social worker at some point

because everybody's going to face a big challenge in their life at some point.

Maybe the challenge starts early, and you're born prematurely.

Who helps your new parents find a specialist?

Or figure out how to pay those huge hospital bills?

Or find a car seat for a teeny tiny baby?

Hospital social workers.

A little later on in life, you're in school

and maybe you're being bullied,

or you're thinking about dropping out.

Who designs and implements the anti-bullying

and the drop out prevention programs in schools?

School social workers.

Later on, as you get older, maybe you face

one of those grown-up problems, a divorce,

or you lose your job, and you sink into a depression,

maybe you even start drinking too much.

Who do you turn to for counseling and therapy?

Licensed, clinical social workers.

Did you know that the majority of mental health services in this country

are provided by social workers?

It's nearly 70%.

And, then we have those really tough end-of-life issues:

your 86 year old dad has Parkinson's disease,

but is insistent that he can live independently.

Who helps you figure out if he really is safe?

Or, who helps you find in-home health?

Or navigate those really difficult conversations about wills,

and power-of-attorney, and DNR?

Geriatric social workers.

Then there's the bigger picture.

Who's running the non profit agency? Who's organizing the community?

Who's fighting to make sure the laws and the policies are just and fair?

Those are social work managers, organizers, and advocates.

So at some point, everybody's going to need a social worker.

The final thing that I like to think about

when I think about social workers as super heroes

came to me when my friend Carla gave me a mug for my birthday

that had this saying on it,

and at first I thought it was cute:

"I'm a social woker what's your super power?"

But then I realized, that's exactly what social workers do.

We say, "Hi, I'm a social worker. What's your super power?"

Social workers believe in strengths and we help people find their strengths

so that they can face the challanges that they're wrestling with.

My favorite social worker strength story comes from my friend, Martha,

who was a social worker who lived on the coast

and every year, she would take a social work intern.

Well, one year she had a young woman she assigned him to a client

named... I'll call him Bob.

Bob struggled with a severe mental illness

and isolated himself in his apartment

and all he would do all day, obsessively, was listen to the radio.

So Martha sends the student to do an assessment,

the student comes back.

Martha says, "So, what'd you learn?"

And the student says,

"I learned he is really good at listening to the radio."

But she had a plan.

She went to the local coast guard office where apparently there is

somebody who has to listen to the short wave radio all day long

and write down the announcements and the news in a log.

And she convinced them to let Bob volunteer.

Then she convinced Bob to try it:

"Really Bob, they want you to listen to the radio!"

Well he did.

And he listened to the radio

better than anybody had ever listened to the radio.

They loved him! They hired him part-time.

So then Bob said, "OK, I have a little bit of money.

I'm getting out of the house a little bit, I'd like to try eating out.

I haven't done that in years, but I'm scared to do it alone.

Would you meet me at the local diner?"

So the student says yeah and the next day she gets there,

but she gets there early, and she sits on the far side of the diner

so that when Bob comes in, she hollers across the diner,

"Bob, what did you hear on the radio?"

Bob hollers back all the news.

(Laughter)

They do this a couple times a week, for several weeks,

so every local in the diner knows

that if you want to know what's going on, you ask Bob.

And Martha swears that by the end it was like that scene in Cheers

when Norm walks in, and it was like "Bob!"

So Bob has a job, and money, and friends, and it all happened

because the social worker tapped into his super power of radio listening.

My final thought for you today is this:

as I've said before, everyone, at some point will need a social worker.

When that happens to you, don't worry, don't be embarrassed; go find one.

I promise you, they will be a super hero.

And better yet, they will help you find your super power

so that you can work through whatever life is throwing your way.

Thank you very much.

(Applause)