Know Your Role by Latasha Toney

Our blog contributor Latasha is a social worker and blogger with a focus on faith, mental health, professional development and the single life.

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I have worked in the field of social services for twelve years. 

Initially, I decided to work in the field of social work because of some events that I experienced in my younger years.  I saw first hand what it was like for young people without guidance to experience tragedies such as teen pregnancy, substance abuse, criminal history and even death.  I thought that I would become a social worker so that I could change the world and save people! 

Well, I was wrong.  I have worked in the field of social service for twelve years.  I have not been able to change anyone or save the world. 

Currently, I work as a clinical social worker in an adult inpatient psychiatry setting.  I get to hear stories of individuals who are struggling with mental illness.  I get to educate not only the individuals but also their families.  I’ve learned that people have so many misconceptions of what it means to have a mental illness.  They think that it can be turned on and off.

Again, I realize that I can not change people or save them.  Instead, I realize that I have a role in the lives of the individuals who I serve.  My role is to help these individuals to understand the signs and symptoms of their mental illness, discover how to manage their condition and connect them with resources.

Honestly, I don’t like the term “mental illness”.  If a person has high blood pressure or arthritis, we say that person has high blood pressure or arthritis.  However, if a person has schizophrenia, we call them a schizophrenic or if they have bipolar, we call them manic.  In the end, this person feels labeled. 

I like to help my patients to understand that their illness does not define them as a person.  It helps them to understand the dynamics of what is going on in their brain but they can still be a functional member of society in spite of their illness.

Most of all, I get to listen to these individuals and be supportive. As we know, maintaining a positive relationship with our clients or consumers is essential in the helping relationship.

In closing, in order for us to be effective helping professionals, we need to reexamine our reason for being in this field and the role that we play.  This will help to keep us focused and reduce burn out. 

What is your “role” in the lives of those who you serve?  What is it that you “get to” do?

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