Behavioral Health Practice Tools

The COVID-19 pandemic has shifted nearly every aspect of life and is negatively affecting the health and mental health of millions of Americans.

In the 12-month period ending in November 2017, the number of drug overdose deaths reached a high of 70,723.

FASDs affect up to 1 in 20 U.S. schoolchildren and occur in every social, economic, and demographic group. Social workers can help reduce the prevalence of FASD through primary prevention of alcohol use during pregnancy. This updated guide highlights recent resources to inform our clinical understanding of FASD and enhance practice skills and interventions targeting high-risk drinking and alcohol-exposed pregnancy.

For several years, suicide has remained among the top 10 causes of death for ages 10 through 44. Data from the National Center for Health Statistics’ Suicide Mortality in the United States, 1999–2017 brief indicates that suicide rates in the United States increased by 33 percent during that review period (Hedegaard, Curtin, & Warner, 2018).

Women who drink alcohol at risky levels can have serious health consequences. Talking to women about risky alcohol use is key to prevention — yet starting the conversation can be difficult. CDC offers brief “supplemental learning” videos on how to begin a conversation about alcohol use, talking to families about a referral for FASD assessment, along with free online courses on alcohol SBI, preventing alcohol use in pregnancy and more. (NASW is a partner in CDC’s national Collaborative for Alcohol-Free Pregnancy)

One of the most frequently asked questions from NASW members is, “What is NASW doing to advocate for social workers?” In response to this popular question, the clinical team developed this advocacy booklet for members.