Cheers to the Cumberland Times-News for this column from Kathleen Hale-Cooper, who said social workers helped her rebuild her life after she planned to suicide.

Hale-Cooper was a single mother with three young children working a series of low-wage jobs to support her family while suffering from mental illness. Believing her children would be better off without her she formulated a suicide attempt.

A social worker persuaded her to commit herself to a hospital to get the help. Later other social workers advised her on how to live with bipolar disorder and on how to manage family matters, finances and other issues.

Hale-Cooper has decided to enter social work and is now a senior in a social work program at Frostburg State University in Maryland.

“Since March is Social Work Month, I would like to take this opportunity to show my gratitude to the individual social workers who have walked alongside me in what has been a difficult journey,” she wrote.

To learn more about how social workers help people from all walks of life visit the National Association of Social Workers “Help Starts Here” consumer website.