Celebrating National Social Work Month, Social Work Week and Black Mental Health Week
Categories: Faculty
March is National Social Work Month, and March 6 – 12 is Social Work Week in Ontario — a time to recognize and celebrate the invaluable contributions of those in the social work field, consider the challenges they face, and reflect on ways to support and strengthen the profession.
“Coming out of the global pandemic, social workers are more essential than ever,” write Joan Davis-Whlean, President, Canadian Association of Social Workers; Jason Albert, Interim President, CASWE; and Sui Ming Kwok, President, Canadian Council of Social Work Regulators. “Every day, social workers support people in navigating complex systems. We are uniquely positioned to identify and address systemic gaps, provide key services and programs, and strengthen communities to what they need, all while applying our skills to build a more just world.”
March 6 – 12 is also Black Mental Health Week in Toronto. This annual awareness week was created to enhance public recognition of the impact that systemic anti-Black racism has on the mental health and well being of Black communities and individuals. Click here to view upcoming events and activities that the TAIBU Community Health Centre, Tropicana Community Services, Strides Toronto, the City of Toronto and others have organized in honour of this important week.
Both the Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW) and the Ontario Association of Social Workers (OASW) have created posters and social media images that can be dowloaded from their websites to share with others.
> Click here to view OASW’s social media toolkit
> View OASW’s upcoming events
> View and download CASW’s social media graphics
E(Racing) the Masters’ tools: Africentric Social Work by and for People of African Descent, with Dr. Delores V. Mullings
In recognition of National Social Work Month Social Work Week and Black Mental Health Week, the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work is pleased to present a public lecture ny Dr. Delores V. Mullings, Professor and Vice-Provost, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism at Memorial University, and lead editor of the book Africentric Social Work.
In her lecture, E(Racing) the Masters’ Tools: Africentric Social Work by and for People of African Descent, Dr. Mullings will explore how African Canadian students, practitioners, staff and administrators have exercised the knowledge and skills of their lived experience to carve out a space for social work practice with people of African descent.
March 9, 2023 | 6:00-7:30pm
Location: Zoom
> Click here to register
Dietary Supplements for Weight Loss and Muscle-Building: Addressing Knowledge and Policy Gaps in Canada
Organized by FIFSW Assistant Professor, Kyle T. Ganson, PhD, MSW in collaboration with the National Eating Disorder Information Centre, this online event will focus on providing updated research on the use of muscle-building and weight loss dietary supplements among Canadian adolescents and young adults, as well as known adverse effects associated with use. The event will also share information on the Current public policy related to dietary supplements in Canada, including the gaps that put people at risk, and recommendations to address these gaps.
Presenters:
Kyle T. Ganson, PhD, MSW, Assistant Professor, Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto
Eliana Sinicropi, Master of Public Policy candidate, University of Toronto
March 6, 2023 | 12:00 – 1:30pm
Location: Zoom
> Click here to register
A Day of Conversation About Black Masculinity and Mental Health
A Day of Conversation About Black Masculinity and Mental Health is a 3-part, day-long event being held at Verity Centre for Better Living (449 Vaughan Rd), focused on understanding the unique mental health needs of Black men in Toronto.
The day-long event is a collaboration between Black Daddies Club and its Sunday Dinner series, Talk It Out Counselling (TIOC) Clinic, White Ribbon, and Asante Talks, combining inspirational keynote, panel discussion, and a meal and dialogue session.
March 12, 2023 | 11:00am – 4:30pm
Location: Verity Centre For Better Living Inc.
> Click here to learn more. Registration is only required for Part 3 of this event.
Mental Health for Healthcare Workers: Steps to Solutions
On Wednesday, March 22, the University of Toronto’s health-faculties will present alive virtual event on Mental Health for Healthcare Workers: Steps to Solutions. This event is presented by the faculties of Dentistry, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Social Work. The panel discussion, moderated by FIFSW Prof. Rachelle Ashcroft, will explore issues impacting the mental health of our health care workers and steps that can be taken to work towards sustainable solutions.
March 22, 2023 | 7:00 – 8:30pm
Location: Zoom
> Click here to register