Advice columnist Amy Dickinson. Photo courtesy of Chicago Tribune.

SocialWorkersSpeak.org is sending a big thank you to advice columnist Amy Dickinson (“Ask Amy”).

Amy recently advised a reader to seek help from a “mental health professional” but didn’t say social workers are also an excellent mental health resource. That prompted social workers to write in and Amy recently posted a letter from social worker Linda Plaut, MSW, LCSW in her May 10 column.

Here is the exchange:

Dear Amy: I am always heartened when you suggest that people with complicated issues consider working with a “mental health professional.”  However, I am disappointed that in your answer to “Seeking Some Help” you didn’t include licensed clinical social workers. 

Professionals with this kind of training and experience take a holistic and very pragmatic approach. 

It is also wise to make certain a therapist is licensed and has had many years working with the particular issue that is causing distress.

— Linda Plaut, LCSW

Dear Linda: I completely agree, and apologize for the omission.

But things get better. In her May 11 column Amy published a letter woman who said her life was changed for the better by a social worker.

“Professional social workers are the unsung heroes of many young lives — and they seldom get the credit they deserve,” Amy responded to that letter.

Amy, thank you for giving social workers a positive mention two days in a row! And social workers keep writing television shows and newspapers when you don’t see fair depictions of social workers. You can get results!

To find out more about how social workers help people improve their lives visit the National Association of Social Workers’ “Help Starts Here” Web pages by clicking here.