Carol Tosone. Screenshot courtesy of NY1.

Carol Tosone, an associate professor of social work at NYU, lived through the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack and is still spooked by the sound of planes flying overhead.

She wondered whether other social workers and mental health providers who treated 9-11 victims shared similar trauma.

So she did a survey of 500 clinicians who were in Midtown and Lower Manhattan during the attacks. That study proved many share trauma with the people they are treating, according to this article and television news clip on NY1.

Tosone hopes her study, which is being replicated in New Orleans among clinicians who counseled flood survivors, will help prepare social workers and others to work in disasters and other traumatic situations.

“We need to refortify clinicians,” said Tosone, who is also a member of the National Association of Social Workers.

To learn more about how social workers help survivors of disasters click here to visit NASW’s “Help Starts Here” and read about how California social worker Dina Ortiz, LCSW, traveled to the Gulf Coast to help victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Katrina Five Years After: Hurricane Left a Legacy of Health Concerns
FOXNews
Although the study authors were astonished, Vic Sims, a social worker at West Jefferson Medical Center in Louisiana, said these types of issues aren’t unusual — particularly in children, because they don’t have the coping mechanisms adults do — especially after experiencing a life-altering event like Katrina.

Karate champ merges martial arts, business, social work
The Post-Standard – Syracuse.com (blog)
At SU, he earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and psychology, and a master’s in social work. After college, Abdul-Qadir worked as a mental health therapist at various nonprofit agencies and even sat on the boards of a number of agencies in the community.

Black men need special attention from social workers to deal with their needs
PhysOrg.com
The book is a collection of studies, which details the disadvantages that black men face and suggests ways they can be helped. The contributors are leading scholars in social work and other related fields from around the country.

Why don’t women have more rights in Muslim countries?
Washington Post (blog)
The growing empowerment of women is reflected in increased educational and professional opportunities (physicians, journalists, lawyers, engineers, social workers, university professors, and entrepreneurs), legal reforms and voting rights.

Elder abuse the subject of research
Ventura County Star
By Kathleen Wilson Armed with one of the largest federal awards ever made to combat elder abuse, Ventura County social workers are joining with researchers  to test ways to reduce its impact.

How to Help Your Child Get Control of Their Attention Deficit Disorder
Associated Content
An Interview with Therapist William Shryer DCSW, LCSW: Do you feel frustrated because you’re unsure on what to do about your child who has attention deficit disorder (ADD)? If so you’re not alone.

LA County’s leak investigation is about the law, not publicity
Los Angeles Times
When incomplete confidential case information is selectively leaked, both the public and my social workers are disadvantaged because there is no legal for us to correct inaccurate or misleading information.

Jennifer Hero and son, Wells at their Brooklyn home. Photo courtesy of New York Times.

Kudos to New York Times reporter Jennifer Mascia for her article “The Neediest Cases: After Katrina, Struggle for High Ground.”

The story demonstrates how social workers change lives for the better. The advice of an unnamed social worker helped New Orleans evacuee Jennifer Hero get rent assistance and money to train to launch a new career.

For more information on how social workers help people recover from crisis visit the National Association of Social Workers “Help Starts Here” Mind and Spirit Web page.