Advocate for More Social Workers in Schools

Hi, my name is Leslie and with recent rise in school shootings I want to raise awareness to bring more social workers into schools to help and spot students with problems. Social workers serve as a kind of link between home, school, and community,

"School social workers work to prevent mass killing in schools as well as guide schools in recovery after a crisis has occurred. Today more than ever, there is a growing need for school social workers to help prevent school violence and to support students in moments of crisis,"(socialworkers.org).

This issue affects anybody who has children or knows any children. Social workers in the schools can also help with adolescents struggling with mental health issues and in turn lessen or help the rates of depression in teens; with suicide being the third leading cause of death in people ages 15-24 (Borchard, "Why Are So Many Teens Depressed").

And for those who argue that there aren't that many school shootings for it to be a problem, do we really want to gamble on the lives of people as innocent as children in deciding whether or not this is a real issue?

“The latest study that surveyed gun owners on the topic found that, among gun owners who had acquired a gun in some way within the previous two years, 22 percent had done so without a background check,” (Politifact).

It's important to help take care of the children in the world and teens as they will be the next generation. With uncertainty on whether or not this is a legitimate issue, while we decide if it is or not more school shootings or gun related incidences on school campus are going to occur. Simply advocating for more social workers in schools, bringing awareness so that those in higher positions that can do something can make a difference because it's that extra layer of security in schools, to know what is going on and possible stop potentially dangerous situations. I hope that by bringing awareness to this issue and what could be done, we can help lessen violence in schools.

Here is the NASW (Nation Association of Social Workers) website to find more info on why social workers can play important roles in schools :https://www.socialworkers.org/