Self-Care Insights from COVID-19.

Abstract

N ot surprisingly, a great deal of literature continues to emerge that addresses the effects of COVID-19 on various populations of interest to social work policy and practice. A substantial number of such articles have been and will be published in Health & Social Work and other journals central to the discipline. This growing body of literature addresses a wide range of presenting concerns across varied settings with attention to particular disparities faced by vulnerable populations. While the focus of social work practice centers around the needs of those we serve, it is essential to consider how COVID-19 has affected—and may enduringly affect—us, both as individuals and professionals. The challenges faced by social workers during the pandemic are far-reaching and unique to each of us. As a profession, social work has been confronted with an increase in mental, behavioral, and physical health concerns among those with whom we work; overwhelming job demands that carry the expectation of maintaining productivity while adapting to physical distancing protocols; rising social inequities; a worldwide atmosphere suffused in complex grief; anxieties about personal safety and that of our loved ones; expanding responsibilities in caring for children and other family members; and the innumerable ethical dilemmas that come with this intricate combination of obligations (McClain, 2020). It is certainly no wonder that social worker wellness, work–life balance, and selfcare feel monumentally difficult to consider, no less to achieve. The pressure to do so can in itself be experienced as just another unreachable expectation or chore rather than a benefit. The familiar airline instructions “Please place the mask over your own mouth and nose before assisting others” come to mind. Yet, these routine safety precautions fall short as we should not wait for the unexpected, emergency situations or global pandemics to employ self-care strategies. The importance of wellness has long been a consistent part of our training and continual professional development that is supported by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW, 2021) Code of Ethics as professional responsibility to ensure ethical practice (Downing et al., 2021). COVID-19 brought the necessity of self-care practices to the forefront and tested our ability to use them, often while working and living in the same space. The standard recipe—taking time for oneself, maintaining social connections, seeking support, setting boundaries, self-reflecting, taking measures to prevent burnout—can be difficult to attain or maintain in the best circumstances. While facing the additional stressors introduced by a global pandemic, these recommendations can feel insufficient and be easily brushed aside in the moment. Complicating matters, various physical distancing, quarantine, and isolation procedures forced us to reimagine how these strategies can be implemented safely while maintaining their effectiveness. For example, it is difficult to conceive how one might manage quality and effective supervisory support through Zoom, in between client telehealth appointments, while working from home and attending to young children, who are attempting self-directed online homeschooling. At this point, there are probably very few who have escaped an inadvertent virtual video meeting gaffe, from technology fails to unexpected appearances of pets and family members. When faced with the potential of having little or no privacy and likely interruptions, seeking support can add stress rather than reduce it. An NASW News article, “Wellness Requires Multifaceted Approach,” reframes the onus, asserting that “strategies employed at the practitioner, management and leadership levels” are needed (McClain, n.d.). Organizations can support social worker wellness in the following ways: wages and bonuses, comp time, hazard pay, opportunities for advancement and professional development, work-