The month of March not only signals that spring is right around the corner, but it is also 'Social Worker Month' across Canada, and this week is 'Social Worker Week.'
Sophia Thomas, a representative from the Yellowhead East Branch in Yorkton, explains what exactly it is that social workers do.
"We provide support, comfort, and listen to anyone. We are that first point of contact when someone is experiencing concern in their life. Whether that is mental health, addictions, maybe a hospitalization, any challenge that somebody is dealing with, a social worker is typically the first person that is connected to an individual and helps that person to find the support that they need," she said. "Often social workers are considered almost like a ‘bridger’ or an advocate who can really help individuals get to the services they need, feel supported, and overcome challenges."
Thomas continued that sometimes the work can be mentally taxing, but it is significant work that is important. She said that social workers are more important now than ever due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"More than ever, the profession of social work is being recognized in our community as a really versatile profession. You have people in our branch from the newcomer area; we have social workers working in schools supporting students in elementary, secondary, we have people working in the hospitals, anything to do with the COVID-19 response," she said. "Supporting families when they are going through ICU experiences, mental health, and addiction. Social workers have a unique ability to support the public through all of those things, and I think that's what is being recognized more than ever is the versatility of our profession and what we bring to the table."
Thomas said that they are celebrating Social Work Week by hosting a Zoom event this Friday that will focus on future social workers.
"We are going to have our branch alongside a couple of students who are currently completing their Bachelor of Social Work, which you can do at the Parkland College," she said. "They are going to talk about their experiences learning about social work and why it's important, and why having education around social work is essential."
The event is set to happen from 12 pm to 1 pm, and everyone is invited to the event. People can view the event with the meeting ID (883 5362 3695) and the password (SWweek2021).
"It's incredible the amount of people that understand that knowledge is power and education is power. We have more new students joining social work, and they are ensuring that voices are being heard and that action is being taken." Thomas said when talking about the importance of future social workers. "I think that's the best part about having so many new social work students in and why I thought it was important that our branch recognizes because we do  have a lot of students studying social work here, and they definitely deserve some light."
Thomas adds that the event isn't the only thing they are doing this week.
"We are doing a self-care bingo that people can just kind of cross off a line of self-care things, and if they complete a full-line on the bingo card, then they can send it our way to our branch, and we are going to be doing a giveaway for a gift basket just to say thank you, and also realize that self-care is important."
Once you have completed one line, send the branch a photograph of your bingo card.
