Homelessness and mental illness are some of the most significant social issues in the US today. The Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated the challenges faced by the homeless. Given dynamic challenges such as violence and exposure to diseases, intervention into this issue is vital. I am interested in social work to influence positive change in this area while ensuring the transformation of lives. I plan to be a dynamic social worker who can intervene in helping those faced with the different social ills while counseling them to reduce the emotional struggle they undergo. Resources available at Fordham University’s Graduate, such as career advising and activities beyond class, would make it possible for me to diversify my view about social work issues and, hence, respond accordingly. While leveraging such advantages, I plan to balance demands on the school’s online platform and other responsibilities beyond class through family support. My passion for driving positive change in society and my ability to take advantage of graduate resources at Fordham University will ensure I am fully equipped to serve my community.
The current social issue that is relevant to social work is homelessness and mental health. According to the HUD Exchange, approximately 17 in 10000 people are homeless in the US. The life expectancy of the homeless is about 50 years, and approximately 2.4 % of the homeless die each year. Of the homeless population, 89.74 % are aged 24 years and above. The Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated the state of homelessness in the US, which has, in turn, impacted the mental health of those affected. Due to the significant closure of businesses and high unemployment, evictions, hence, homelessness has significantly increased. In the wake of the pandemic, significant numbers of 330(h) funded hospitals have closed down, increasing gaps related to access to healthcare among the homeless. While the problem was an important social issue pre-covid-19 era, the relevance of the issue has been brought out by the pandemic, given that a substantial number of the homeless are elderly with pre-existing conditions. The analysis of the risks such populations face fostered my interest in the social work profession. This is especially because the unsheltered live in inhumane conditions that need urgent intervention. Additional reasons for pursuing graduate social work study is the need to be competent in responding to the ever-changing social issues. The need for professionalism and possession of diversified approaches to problems is essential, mainly because globalization has made issues such as health global rather than geographical. Environmental changes require relevant changes in response to social issues, hence, my decision to revamp my skills in this area.
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I am interested in being a child and family social worker. Regardless of this specialization, I am keen on getting skills that would help me solve issues related to mental health and substance use. My primary objective is to be a whole-rounded social worker who can intervene in multi-disciplinary issues related to social work. In being a child and family social worker, I will encounter problems such as mental health, drug abuse, and domestic violence. I, therefore, need to be dynamic and well versed with a variety of issues related to social work. I plan on leveraging the different available resources to ensure I can drive evidence-based change in this field. My other objective is to acquire relevant skills that would help me to respond to global social work-related issues. I believe that it is time that social workers think beyond geographical boundaries because, in some cases, the issues experienced in one locality are directly or indirectly interconnected with others beyond a particular region. One of the educational resources that I plan to follow up on keenly is “The Capacity Building with Faith Communities.” I believe that poverty is a multifaceted issue that affects different elements of social issues; hence, I will take advantage of the resource to ensure I deeply understand how poverty affects communities and the possible interventions. Another resource is the diversity of students. As an individual who believes in diversity and inclusion, I think this is an indispensable resource in helping me learn from others, interact with them, understand their cultures and life experiences. This is a real-life experience that can be translated to my career because social work is slowly transforming to entail issues beyond local, less diversified communities. Most importantly, different organizations and clubs can be a good place to interact and understand other people’s cultures, worldviews, and predispositions. It is possible to carry this into the real world because social work is significantly about interactions.
Given how instrumental it is to have a school-life balance, my family support will come in handy in ensuring I can balance the activities on the online platform and field undertakings. They are emotionally and physically supportive. Therefore, I plan on ensuring I collaborate with them to ensure I balance both sides. Additionally, as an individual who is keen on timekeeping and working based on a given schedule, I plan on having a strategic plan that would involve scheduling all my activities. I also plan on being highly disciplined and avoiding procrastination. Most importantly, to ensure I continue enhancing professional and personal development, I intend on seeking help in my studies where possible. Through collaboration with other students, school work and field placement will be easier because of the insight gained from different stakeholders.
In conclusion, homelessness and mental health are issues relevant to social work that need quick intervention. I am interested in being one of those individuals who will bring positive change in these areas in the near future. My objectives are to revamp my skills and ensure I am competent in collaborating with others in ensuring such problems are solved. The diversity of students at Fordham University’s Graduate School of Social Service will help diversify my view about social issues. Other resources such as dynamic organizations and clubs will ensure I am a well-rounded individual. Through family support, strategic planning, and collaboration with students and staff, I will be able to have a balance between field placement and online class undertakings. All these will reinforce my success in being a professional social worker.
