Se sentir sous-estimé et épuisé dans le travail social. Êtes-vous prêt à retrouver votre passion et votre objectif ?

Como Trabajadores Sociales, debemos comprender que sobre nuestro proyecto de vida mandamos nosotros y no las personas u organizaciones que nos rodean en el desarrollo de nuestra profesión. Comprender esto nos permite aprender a poner límites y saber tomar decisiones que sumen a nuestras aspiraciones. Estoy convencido de que no se trata de estudiar y salir a trabajar porque sea la regla general de vida para las personas adultas. Yo, por ejemplo, he decidido hacer de mi profesión mi principal herramienta para cumplir con mi propósito de vida superior, que es generar el mayor impacto social positivo que pueda mientras tenga vida. Mi profesión hace parte integral de mi desarrollo personal y, desde ahí, busco que al ejercer yo me sienta pleno.

El agotamiento no es sólo físico; es mental y emocional. Las decisiones que tomamos, las intervenciones que realizamos, y el apoyo que brindamos tienen un peso significativo. El trabajo social es mi pasión, y estoy orgullosa de la labor que realizo. Sin embargo, también es necesario abrir un diálogo sobre las demandas emocionales de está profesión y cómo podemos apoyarnos mutuamente para enfrentar éstos desafíos. Al reflexionar sobre éstos temas, invito a mis colegas, a los empleadores, y a la sociedad en general a tomar en serio el impacto del agotamiento en los trabajadores sociales. Es hora de reconocer que el bienestar de quienes ayudan a otros también debe ser una prioridad.

Burnout is a serious issue that goes beyond just having a rough day. It’s emotionally, mentally, and physically exhausting and can make you feel distrusted person and withdrawn from your work. Identifying the symptoms of burnout—such as fatigue, irritability, and feelings of inadequacy—is the first step in treatment. Acknowledge how your job affects your well-being and remember that it’s completely okay to feel down. Seeing them is empowering; it’s a foundation for taking proactive steps to manage stress and reclaim your passion for life’s work.

Self-awareness and strong reflective skills are so important for Social Workers. Often times, a Social Worker's commitment to their job can result in negative outcomes such as burnout if there are no self-regulation practices in place. Being self-aware is paramount for Social Workers as this gives them the ability to identify when they are entering a harmful emotional and/or psychological state of mind. Reflective skills help Social Workers identify areas for concern to be addressed before they become unmanageable in order to minimise the risk of burnout. Social Workers should invest in developing their self awareness and reflective skills in order to reclaim their passion and purpose.

"As a former therapist of 20 years, it took me a long time to recognize the signs of burnout because I was always focused on others before myself. You can't pour from an empty cup. Learning to identify the early signs of burnout is crucial in mitigating the risks that can affect your health and well-being."

Social work is a team sport. Doesn’t matter if you’re practicing micro, mezzo, or macro social work, collaboration and support are essential to do your job well and to prioritize your own wellbeing. You can’t do it all alone, so please don’t try. Helpers deserve help. Encouragers deserve encouragement. Supporters deserve support. Develop and lean on your professional support system which can include supervisors, mentors, colleagues, professors, therapists, and social worker friends. Use your resources to sustain yourself and build a successful career, not just to aid your clients.

"Seeking support is essential in social work. Reflecting on my 20 years of experience, leaning on colleagues, supervisors, and mentors was invaluable during the most challenging times in my career. It's through this support network that I was able to navigate difficulties and continue growing professionally."

In the world of social work, it’s easy to feel isolated, but you don’t have to go through this alone. Getting support from supervisors, co-workers, or professional organizations can provide an important lifeline. Connecting with others who understand your challenges creates community and acceptance. Sharing experiences and advice can help you feel less undervalued and more appreciated. Remember, you are not just a lone warrior; you’re part of a larger movement dedicated to making a difference.

O trabalho do Assistente social é imprescindível em todas as instituições, quer sejam privadas ou públicas. Pois é a partir do diagnóstico das demandas levantadas na instituição, através da sua análise social. Onde o mesmo profissional buscará meios plausíveis dentro das políticas públicas , das leis ou em articulação com diversas redes de proteção a solução, a minimação ou a prevenção de tal problema levantado.

Contar con un departamento especializado en tratar estos factores psicosociales es de vital importancia, tomar en cuenta que la salud mental es tratada por expertos en la materia, promover departamentos de apoyo social o psicológico en las empresas es imprescindible en estos tiempos

Setting boundaries is important to protecting your mental health. Learn to say no when you’re overwhelmed, and don’t hesitate to unplug after hours. Maintaining a work life balance is not only beneficial for you, but it also sets a good example for your clients. Putting your well-being first is an example of healthy boundaries that are important in social work. Remember, it’s okay to take a step back; You can’t pour from an empty cup.

"Learning to set boundaries is about self-love, not just self-care, in social work. It's a vital practice that ensures we protect our own well-being while serving others, allowing us to sustain our passion and effectiveness in the long run."

Estabelecer limites profissionais claros é essencial para prevenir o esgotamento. No serviço social, onde a empatia e o desejo de ajudar são parte integrante da profissão, pode ser desafiador separar as demandas do trabalho da vida pessoal. No entanto, essa separação é crucial para preservar a saúde mental e emocional, além de garantir uma atuação sustentável. Definir horários, criar espaços para descanso e evitar levar os problemas dos atendimentos para casa são práticas importantes. O Outro ponto importante é aprender a dizer "não" quando necessário, reconhecendo que há limites para a capacidade de ajudar. Cuidar de si mesma é um ato indispensável para poder continuar cuidando dos outros.

Setting boundaries is critical to sustainable social work practice and personal and professional wellbeing. Boundaries help others know what to expect from us and how we expect to be treated. Don’t just think of boundaries as restrictions, because setting clear boundaries allows others to jump in to support and assist. Setting healthy boundaries is a combination of self-love, self-care, and self-preservation. Boundaries provide the standards for us to treat ourselves well so we also have to be sure to honor and respect our own boundaries. Remember that you can’t pour from an empty cup.

Advocate for Yourself: If you feel undervalued at work, consider having a conversation with your supervisor about your concerns. Express your need for recognition, fair compensation, or professional growth opportunities. Sometimes, your supervisors may not be aware of how you feel, and advocating for yourself can lead to positive changes.

O autocuidado vai muito além de ser uma palavra da moda; ele é um aspecto central para a prática sustentável no serviço social. Considerando o nível de envolvimento emocional que a profissão exige, incorporar estratégias de autocuidado na rotina diária é vital para manter o equilíbrio e preservar a saúde mental e física. Práticas como exercícios regulares, momentos de pausa e reflexão, hobbies que promovam relaxamento, meditação, além de manter conexões sociais saudáveis, podem ajudar a reduzir o estresse e prevenir o esgotamento. O autocuidado também envolve reconhecer seus próprios limites e saber quando buscar ajuda ou apoio, seja de colegas, supervisores ou profissionais da saúde mental.

Self-care is more than just a trendy term; it’s a fundamental practice for sustainable social work. Incorporate self-care strategies into your daily routine to battle against your stress and prevent burnout. Whether it’s engaging in mindfulness meditation, exercising, or pursuing hobbies that Stimulate your passion, these activities satisfy your emotional reserves. Remind yourself that taking care of yourself is not selfish; it’s a necessity for maintaining the empathy and sympathy needed in your role.

"Learning to set boundaries is about self-love, not just self-care, in social work. It's a vital practice that ensures we protect our own well-being while serving others, allowing us to sustain our passion and effectiveness in the long run."

Self care can be achieved in so many ways especially when it comes to dealing with burnout. One can try learning a new skill or sport, shopping, enjoying your favorite hobby and hiking depending on what best suits your needs at that time. Sometimes even giving yourself a nice treat and outing it can be alone or with a friend

"Professional development is essential, especially as a lifelong learner. It's important to continually expand your knowledge base as the landscape of social work evolves, ensuring that we remain effective and responsive to the needs of our clients and the profession."

🙋🏾♀️Emerging Leader in SW here🏆 The more you know, the more you grow. Skillset and network expansion are the secret sauces when tackling burnout and stress. Sometimes, life happens. Sometimes, that case is TOUGH! Sometimes we get bored. Like car batteries need spark plugs to avoid becoming stranded vehicles, sometimes we need pivots in practice as a self-care measure. Switching roles, cross-discipline collabos, or earning specialty certifications can make a huge difference in wellness and retention. Not to mention it keeps it spicy! We're lifelong learners after all. Bottom line? The field benefits when we invest in ourselves. If nobody's said it lately, YOU are our field's most valuable asset.

Investing in your professional development can restart your interest in social work. Consider going further, taking workshops, or earning additional certifications. Continuous learning updates you on best practices and can help you discover new areas of interest in the field. As you grow and develop, you’re likely to find new inspiration and purpose in your career—a reminder of why you chose this path in the first place.

Investing in one's professional development, really helps reignite a desire that's been dying out or had been snuffed out. Finding out that there's more to it as you pursue further education or training in skills closely related to your profession, really fills you with a renewed sense of purpose.

Stimmt, lädt aber auch zum dem Denken in der Abwärtsspirale ein: „Wenn ich nur genug Fort-/Weiterbildungen gemacht habe, dann…(bin ich besser/fühle ich mich besser/…)“. Erst recht wenn der Arbeitgeber die Person zeitlich nicht freistellt und oder die Fort-/Weiterbildung nicht (mit-)finanziert, also alles im eigenen Urlaub oder aus dem ohnehin geringen Gehalt bezahlt werden soll.

Also, take some time now and then to reflect on how well your personal and professional values align with your work or the company you're with. It's important to ensure they align as you progress in your career.

Reflect on what you love about social work, what you’ve achieved, and how you’ve developed personally and professionally so that you can determine if a pivot is necessary. Remember that social work is a diverse profession with many opportunities to make an impact in various ways. Give yourself permission to change jobs, change populations, or change the type of social work you engage in.

Are you grieving? As we become wiser and not only our professional desire(s) change but life happens and the plan that once was may no longer be. That can sometimes feel defeating especially after you’ve committed yourself to an industry with your time, effort, and money (school, certifications) etc. But you have to identify the grieving process and pivoting into a different sector in the field, or utilizing your transferable skills in another. That may even come with making the decision to work remotely, move to another state, or move internationally. All of this takes time to have those hard truth conversations with one’s self, giving your self grace, accepting the model of change, grieving the professional path that was.

Practice mindfulness and identify own needs create your own vision and detect own values and connect with your values and reflect on your strengths and interests, incorporate your skillsets and abilities to your professional endeavors, build connection between your profession and your purpose,pay attention to intrinsic motivation by enhance your autonomy,and purpose.Create innovative idea

Take time to explore what originally inspired you to become a social worker. Return to the original values and goals you set at the beginning of your journey. This process can help you realign your current habits with your core aspirations. Remember the positive impact you have on the lives of others and the importance of your role in making a difference in their lives. This is a powerful reminder that your work matters, and you make a difference.