BASW marks World Mental Health Day
Recognised around the world, this year's theme is how we can prioritise mental health in the workplace.
Everyone has the right to the highest possible standard of mental health, including protection from mental health risks and access to support and care when needed.
Since 2020, BASW has run and developed the Social Work Professional Support Service, providing free 1:1 coaching and wellbeing support to hundreds of social workers and students across the UK.
However, we recognise that a great deal more needs to happen to improve working conditions in the social work profession across the UK so that nobody is at risk of poor mental health as a result of their work. We'll continue to work with SWU to highlight these issues and press governments to deliver the resources and funding our profession needs to thrive, and invest in better support for staff wellbeing.
"Listen Up" - A Poem for World Mental Health Day
BASW Expert by Experience Forum Member and Trustee of the BASW Foundation Trust, Aly Fryer has shared the below poem to mark World Mental Health Day 2024.
LISTEN UP
Once again we raise awareness
On this international day
But is anyone really listening?
When we repeatedly say…
Is Awareness Day really enough?
In the daily tormenting plight
Of us who need to be listened to
Needing action, support and might
Self help is often relentless
For some it’s out of reach
It’s time all support systems are actioned
In practice of what they preach
It shouldn’t be left to only loved ones
To pull us from the dark
We thank all who are striving
To really make a mark
It’s not just this day there is suffering
There are 365 days in a year
Challenges are daily
An extra day each leap year
So as we read the annual posts
Let’s reflect for just a while
All it may take for you everyday
Is to offer up a smile
Daphne McKenna - A Life in Social Work
At BASW UK Conference in June, we showed a BASW produced film - A Life in Social Work - telling the story of Daphne McKenna following her untimely death in 2020 aged 65.
The film, part of BASW's Heritage 50th Anniversary Project, celebrates the impact of Daphne's long and inspiring career in social work. It shows how social work values, skills and knowledge can both move with the times, and be timeless in their underlying principles, whether working with adults, children, families or communities.
Access BASW's Professional Support Service
All BASW members- social workers and students- in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland can access our free Professional Support Service at anytime. This is also available to non-members in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
You can book a 1:1 session with one of our trained peer coaches, who is also a social worker. Sessions offer essential space to support wellbeing and address practice concerns.
