Week 1 Discussion 1

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Walden University *

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6336

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Sociology

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Jan 9, 2024

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Post a brief description of each of the two critical incidents you selected to which helping professionals respond. Then, explain the similarities and differences between the roles and responsibilities of those responders. Finally, share the insights you gained or conclusions you drew based on the comparison. Be sure to support your postings and responses with specific references to the resources. In times of crisis, social workers play a critical role in response efforts. They work with individuals and communities to assess needs, provide counseling and support, and connect people with necessary resources (James & Gilliland, 2017). Social workers also collaborate with other professionals, such as medical personnel and emergency responders, to ensure that all aspects of a crisis response are covered. Their focus is on promoting safety, well-being, and resilience in those affected by the crisis. By addressing the social and emotional impacts of the crisis, social workers can help individuals and communities recover and rebuild after a difficult event. The two critical incidents I have selected are traumatic events and acts of terrorism. Social workers play a critical role in responding to traumatic events such as childhood sexual abuse. They are trained to provide support and guidance to survivors, helping them to navigate the complex emotional and psychological effects of such experiences. Social workers work closely with survivors to help them feel safe and secure while also helping them develop coping strategies to manage their emotions and reactions (Bal et al. 2009). They also provide referrals to other professionals and resources, such as therapists, support groups, and legal aid services, as needed. Ultimately, social workers strive to create a supportive and empowering environment for survivors, helping them to heal and move forward from their traumatic experiences (James & Gilliland, 2017). Social workers play a crucial role in responding to crises, including acts of terrorism. They are often on the front lines, working to provide support and assistance to those who have been affected by these events. In the aftermath of a terrorist attack, social workers may be called upon to provide crisis counseling, coordinate emergency services, and help individuals and families navigate complex legal and medical systems (Bauwens & Naturale, 2017). They may also work with community groups and other organizations to promote healing and resilience in the wake of trauma. When dealing with a terrorist event versus a sexual abuse crisis, a social worker's response will differ in a few key ways. In a terrorist event, the social worker will likely be focused on helping individuals and communities cope with the trauma of the event, providing support and resources for those affected, and working with law enforcement and other agencies to ensure safety and security (Bauwens & Naturale, 2017). In a sexual abuse crisis, the social worker will be focused on providing emotional support and counseling to survivors, as well as connecting

them with legal and medical resources as needed (Bal et al. 2009). Both situations require empathy, compassion, and a commitment to helping those in need, but the specific strategies and approaches used will vary depending on the context and needs of those involved (James & Gilliland, 2017). I already have experience working as a crisis response social worker. I specifically worked with children and crises could be emotional and mental health crises such as suicide attempts, or they could be from larger events such as bullying, natural disasters, or terrorism. I have myself lived through many impactful crises: the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, the Oklahoma City bombing, the Unabomber, numerous wars, 9/11, the Columbine shooting, Hurricane Katrina, the Virginia Tech Shooting, Sandy Hook, etc. Crisis and trauma have been an ongoing part of my generation's life and it has shaped me. This is part of why I intend to go into trauma-informed therapy once I graduate. Overall I think the fundamentals are the same regardless of the crisis, a social worker is there to provide support, empathy, resources, and evidence-based strategies. While those strategies and theories may differ the end result is to bring the person or community back to a state of equilibrium (James & Gilliland, 2017) . References: Bal, S., Crombez, G., De Bourdeaudhuij, I., & Van Oost, P. (2009). Symptomatology in adolescents following initial disclosure of sexual abuse: The roles of crisis support, appraisals and coping. Child Abuse & Neglect , 33 (10), 717-727. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2008.11.006 Bauwens, J., & Naturale, A. (2017). The role of social work in the aftermath of disasters and traumatic events. Clinical Social Work Journal , 45 (2), 99–101. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10615-017-0623-8 James, R. K., & Gilliland, B. E. (2017). Crisis intervention strategies (Eight). CENGAGE LEARNING INC.

A crisis can be defined as a situation or event perceived as complex, challenging, or threatening that exceeds a person or community's ability to cope using their normal resources and coping strategies (James & Gilliland, 2017). Crises can take many forms, including natural disasters, acts of violence or terrorism, medical emergencies, personal crises such as job loss, relationship problems, and more. The defining characteristic of a crisis is that it is perceived as overwhelming and beyond the individual or community's ability to handle it on their own. The event has “the presence of both danger and opportunity” (James & Gilliland, 2017, p. 11). As a result, crisis interventions are often necessary to provide support and resources to help individuals and communities recover and regain a sense of well-being. During times of crisis, social workers have a crucial role in response efforts. Their responsibilities include assessing the needs of individuals and communities, providing counseling and support, and linking people with necessary resources (James & Gilliland, 2017). Social workers also collaborate with other professionals, such as medical personnel and emergency responders, to ensure that all aspects of a crisis response are addressed. They focus on promoting safety, well-being, and resilience in those impacted by the crisis. By addressing the social and emotional impacts of the crisis, social workers can assist individuals and communities in recovering and rebuilding after a challenging event. The two critical incidents I have selected are traumatic events and acts of terrorism. Social workers are critical in responding to traumatic events such as childhood sexual abuse. They are trained to provide support and guidance to survivors, helping them to navigate the complex emotional and psychological effects of such experiences. Social workers work closely with survivors to help them feel safe and secure while also helping them develop coping strategies to manage their emotions and reactions (Bal et al., 2009). The response of police to terrorist attacks varies depending on the nature and severity of the attack. In general, the police are responsible for ensuring the safety and security of the public during and after an attack. This involves responding quickly to the scene, assessing the situation, and taking steps to neutralize threats and secure the area (Chapman et al., 2002). Police may also coordinate with other agencies, such as emergency medical services and fire departments, to provide assistance and support as needed. Additionally, police may conduct investigations and gather evidence to identify and apprehend any suspects involved in the attack. Overall, the response of police to terrorist attacks is focused on minimizing harm to the public and restoring order as quickly as possible. When responding to sexual assault and terrorist attacks, there are significant differences in the types of services and support needed. In the case of a sexual assault, the focus is on providing emotional support, psychological first aid, and counseling to the survivor and connecting them with legal and medical resources as needed. The goal is to help the survivor feel safe and secure while empowering them to heal and move forward from their traumatic experience. (Bauwens & Naturale, 2017 and Holmes, 1981). On the other hand, in the case of a terrorist attack, the focus is on helping individuals and communities cope with the trauma of the event, providing support and resources for those affected, and working with law enforcement and other agencies to ensure safety and security (Chapman et al., 2002). Police officers are primarily

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responsible for ensuring public safety and maintaining law and order during a crisis. They focus on containing the situation, investigating any criminal activity, and apprehending suspects if necessary. Police officers and social workers often work together during a crisis, with police officers providing security and support while social workers providing counseling and other assistance. Overall, both professions play essential roles in crisis response, each bringing unique skills and perspectives. References: Bal, S., Crombez, G., De Bourdeaudhuij, I., & Van Oost, P. (2009). Symptomatology in adolescents following initial disclosure of sexual abuse: The roles of crisis support, appraisals and coping. Child Abuse & Neglect , 33 (10), 717-727. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2008.11.006 Chapman, R., Baker, S., Bezdikian, V., Cammarata, P., Cohen, D., Leach, N., Schapiro, A., Scheider, M., & Varano, R. (2002, April 5). Local Law Enforcement Responds to Terrorism Lessons in Prevention and Preparedness . U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. https://portal.cops.usdoj.gov/resourcecenter/RIC/Publications/cops-w0125-pub.pdf Holmes, K. A. (1981, January). Services for victims of rape - a dualistic practice model . Office of Justice Programs. https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/services-victims- rape-dualistic-practice-model#:~:text=For%20example%2C%20a%20social %20worker,police%20investigator%20or%20a%20prosecutor. James, R. K., & Gilliland, B. E. (2017). Crisis intervention strategies (Eight). CENGAGE LEARNING INC.  Ask a probing question.

 Share an insight from having read your colleague’s posting.  Offer and support an opinion.  Validate an idea with your own experience.  Make a suggestion.  Expand on your colleague’s posting. Hi Dana, Thank you for your insight this week. You provided a clear and concise overview of the roles and responsibilities of mental health social workers and healthcare workers in responding to disease outbreaks and mass violence. I found your comparison of the similarities and differences between the two responders to be insightful. It's important to recognize that both roles require different skill sets and approaches but share the common goal of helping individuals cope with the aftermath of traumatic events. Your conclusion about the toll that these roles can take on the responder is also very important to consider. Some of the psychological first aid that James & and Gilliland, (2017) talk about in our text are: “Contacting and engagement, safety and comfort, stabilization, information gathering, practical assistance,”(p.21). I think that these examples of psychological first aid are similar to the medical aid that is given during a disease outbreak. If we think back to COVID-19 we remember contact tracing that the CDC was doing, providing steps for immediate safety like social distancing and lockdowns, etc (CDC, 2021). References: CDC. (2021). CDC in action: Working 24/7 to stop the threat of covid-19 . CDC.gov. https://www.cdc.gov/budget/documents/covid-19/CDC-247-Response-to-COVID-19-fact- sheet.pdf James, R. K., & Gilliland, B. E. (2017). Crisis intervention strategies (Eight). CENGAGE LEARNING INC.

Hi Beamli, Thank you for sharing your insights on the critical incidents to which helping professionals respond and the similarities and differences between the roles and responsibilities of responders. We both chose similar crisis situations. I agree with your observations that natural disasters and child abuse cases require different types of responses from both social workers (Bauwens & Naturale, 2017) and law enforcement personnel. It is important to note that both responders play an essential role in ensuring the safety and well-being of individuals affected by these incidents (James & Gilliland, 2017, U.S. Department of Justice, 2001). I also appreciate how you highlighted the risks of burnout and trauma that both responders may experience, which emphasizes the importance of self-care and support for these professionals. Furthermore, your comparison between the roles of law enforcement and social workers in child abuse cases was insightful. It is essential to recognize that both responders have different approaches to addressing child safety, but their ultimate goal is to ensure the child's well-being and safety. It was interesting to note how law enforcement focuses on the criminal aspect of the investigation (U.S. Department of Justice, 2001) while social workers focus on the child's permanency and well-being (Bauwens & Naturale, 2017). Overall, your post provided valuable insights into the roles and responsibilities of helping professionals in critical incidents. References: Bauwens, J., & Naturale, A. (2017). The role of social work in the aftermath of disasters and traumatic events. Clinical Social Work Journal , 45 (2), 99–101. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10615-017-0623-8 James, R. K., & Gilliland, B. E. (2017). Crisis intervention strategies (Eight). CENGAGE LEARNING INC. U.S. Department of Justice. (2001, March). Law enforcement response to child abuse - office of justice programs . https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles/162425.pdf

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Week 1 Discussion 1

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