SocialWorkToday.com   |   View web version

May 2015 Connect with us   Sign up  |  Archive  |  Advertise

The suicide of a preteen boy uncertain about his gender. A suicide attempt by an overweight girl taunted by online bullies. These and other tragic stories are becoming all too common in our daily headlines. The source of the torment is also the lifeblood of our communication: the Internet. While we value the Internet for our news and communication, it is also a weapon of ridicule and humiliation for the immature and uncivilized among us who pervert its use to hurt others whom they find vulnerable. This month’s e-news exclusive describes a scourge among our youth, that of cyberbullying, its methods and characteristics, and, fortunately, some prevention strategies. We welcome your comments at SWTeditor@gvpub.com. Visit our website at www.SocialWorkToday.com, join our Facebook page, and follow us on Twitter. — Marianne Mallon, editor The Pervasive Threat of Cyberbullying By Lindsey Getz After more than a year of being bullied online, 12-year-old Rebecca Sedwick of Florida jumped to her death from atop a silo in an abandoned cement factory. That is just one of numerous stories in the news about the sometimes dire consequences of what’s been called cyberbullying—that is, any form of bullying (name calling, threats, intimidation) done through electronic communication. This form of bullying is becoming increasingly common in today’s digital society, particularly among adolescents. Cyberbullying is different from face-to-face bullying and can often be more severe since it’s nearly impossible to escape. With smartphones and tablets, the Internet is everywhere and youths may not even feel safe from bullying when they’re in their own home. While this is a new and difficult battle of the 21st century, Hollie Sobel, PhD, a clinician from the Family Institute at Northwestern University in Chicago, says there are skills and prevention strategies, some of which will be presented in this article, that are proving effective against cyberbullying. Full Story »   The Pervasive Threat of Cyberbullying Self-Care Solutions—Facing the Challenge of Asking for Help Recovery High Schools—Getting an Education and Learning to Stay Clean and Sober Beyond Talk—Creative Arts Therapies in Social Work Workers Seeking High Productivity Abusing ADHD Medications More Testing May Not Be a Recipe for Better Health 9/11 First Responders Experience Higher Rate of Health Problems MLB Teams Responding to Players' Mental Health Needs Tech & Tools Social workers care about their clients, but rarely do they have time to care about themselves. Show yourself a little appreciation with field-inspired gear from our Gift Shop. We've got the perfect item for every situation from busy days in the office to at-home visits. Check out our secure online shop today or call toll-free 877-809-1659 for easy and fast ordering.

Self-Care Solutions—Facing the Challenge of Asking for Help Taking care of yourself is as important as taking care of your clients. Read how social work administrators are helping theirworkers get needed attention. Read more » Recovery High Schools—Getting an Education and Learning to Stay Clean and Sober Recovery high schools provide a supportive environment for students with substance use disorders to complete their education and avoid relapse. Read more » Beyond Talk—Creative Arts Therapies in Social Work Words are sometimes inadequate to express an emotion, but maybe a painting or a poem can, and more clinicians are finding their therapeutic value. Read more » Workers Seeking High Productivity Abusing ADHD Medications The New York Times reports that some workers who must be rapid producers seek ADHD medications to meet the demands of their jobs. More Testing May Not Be a Recipe for Better Health According to NPR, more frequent testing may produce false positives and not necessarily be an indicator of better heath. 9/11 First Responders Experience Higher Rate of Health Problems USA Today reports the most common problem was symptoms of depression, experienced by nearly 17% of the 2,281 medical service workers included in the study. The rate of PTSD symptoms was 7%. MLB Teams Responding To Players’ Mental Health Needs According to The Washington Post, at least three teams are responding to changing attitudes by offering more assistance to their players in the area of mental health. Social Work Today's CE program offers social workers the opportunity to earn CEs from the comfort of their homes or offices. Visit www.SocialWorkTodayCE.com today and join the thousands of professionals from across the country who already have taken advantage of this great program. Simply read an issue of the magazine and complete the online exam or the printed exam published in the magazine, and most issue exams will earn 2 CE credits! PLUS, you have the opportunity to earn CE credits from past issues, too! See what all the talk is about. Visit www.SocialWorkTodayCE.com today for more information! Have a product, service, or educational program you want to market to social work professionals, or an open position that you need to fill quickly? Social Work Today offers many flexible advertising programs designed to maximize your results. From print advertising to e-newsletter sponsorships, website advertising to direct mail opportunities, Social Work Today helps achieve your goals. E-mail our experienced account executives today for more information or call 800-278-4400! Coming up in our September/October issue is our Education Spotlight. E-mail a sales representative to be part of this unique advertising opportunity. AlliedHealthCareers.com is the premier online resource to recruit social work professionals. Post your open positions, view résumés, and showcase your facility's offerings all at AlliedHealthCareers.com!   The nation's top employers and recruiters of social workers advertise in Social Work Today magazine and post their job openings on AlliedHealthCareers.com. Check out the most recent opportunities that have been submitted by employers across the country! Licensed Master's Level Clinicians The Bridge of Central Massachusetts, MA Clinical Social Worker Austen Riggs Center, Stockbridge, MA Social Worker/Clinical Counselor UNM Hospitals, Albuquerque, NM A Secure, Anonymous Résumé Bank Job Alerts Sent to Your E-mail Using Smartphones to Take Distracted-Driving Research on the Road Few of us are willing to admit our indiscretions behind the wheel, particularly when it comes to sneaking a peek at an incoming text or checking Facebook when traffic slows down. A unique smartphone-based system designed by University of Alabama at Birmingham researchers can record participants' driving behavior in the real world. Learn more » Improving Mental Health Via Social Networking Many people with mental illness are still held back from seeking help because of the stigma. Robert Morris thinks social media can help. He created a social networking app called Panoply. It engages a group of patients in cognitive behavioral therapy. Panoply is unique because it has a specific goal: to treat clinical depression. Learn more »