SSW MSW Blog



Photo Booth available (May 27-31 and June 3-4)

Brooks, the SSW Media Services guy, and Student Services will be setting up a self-serve photo booth with an SSW theme in the first floor gallery.  There will be a backdrop, lighting, a tripod to attach your phone and some props to use during that time period.  We encourage you to bring family/friends to take photos or come with other SSW students.  Please leave the area neat – props in container, lights turned off. 

SSW Students,

As we approach the end of Spring Quarter, this is/can be a historically stressful time for many. Should you need a safe, welcoming space of respite, please consider utilizing the Counseling Center for counseling options (inclusive of individual, group, career, and/or crisis modalities).  We have been informed that there are openings starting this week for new clients. Note that the services are offered at no charge to currently enrolled students- thanks to financial support from the Services & Activities Fee (SAF)!

Those in consideration for the UW Counseling Center can schedule online or call 206-543-1240.  If you have immediate needs, Husky Helpline is available for same-day consultation with a counselor, 24/7.

SSW Specific Mental Health Support

Moreso, if you are looking for in-house support, Lev Cunningham, our wonderful Mental Health Specialist works to serve the students of the SSW. Please consider their offered resources, & connecting with them for a soulfully nourishing space of healing.

To learn more about other resources to support you in your academic ventures (wellness, personal care, writing and academic tutoring, etc.), please peruse through your Canvas Module 4: How to Survive and Thrive.

The SSO team hopes that you all are safe, well, and met with nourishment. Please reach out if you need anything!

That’s a wrap on our 2023 – 2024 speaker series from UW Forefront Suicide Prevention – UW Research.

We heard from subject matter experts from different communities and perspectives all focused on preventing suicide. We hope you’ve found their presentations as informative and inspiring as we have!

Every session has been recorded and edited for you to stream on-demand for FREE. Sessions in this series include:

– A Comprehensive Approach to the Suicide Prevention presented by Jeffrey Sung, MD

– Understanding Grief after Suicide presented by Charlene Ray, MSW, LICSW

– Aging Communities presented by Lesley Steinman, PhD

– Black Communities presented by Paige Gaines

– Perinatal Mental Health presented by Deborah S. Cowley, MD

Stay tuned for more information about the 2024 – 2025 speaker series by following us on social media (links below) or going to our events page.

This series was made possible with the help of the Washington State Department of Health. 

The Graduate and Professional Student Senate is hosting another drag show on Friday, May 17th at 5:30 pm at the the Kelly Ethnic Cultural Theatre (3930 Brooklyn Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98105).

Tickets are free — the show starts at 6:00 pm featuring Kylie Mooncakes, Sid Seedy, Clara Voyance, and Viper Fengz. Please bring your government-issued ID as this is a 21+ event. We will be serving alcohol from 5:30 pm to 6:00 pm. 

We have limited tickets (75 total) for this event — you will receive an email confirmation at least 3 days before the event, if not, you will be placed on a waitlist: https://forms.office.com/r/hUW449FB14

PLEASE ONLY SIGN UP IF YOU KNOW YOU CAN ATTEND.

Are you a graduating student? Join us for a month-long festivities just for you!

The Office of Graduate Student Equity and Excellence (GSEE) invites you to celebrate with your fellow graduate students, your milestones, your achievements, and all the big things yet to come at GSEE’s Spring Soirée 2024! Our theme this year is Renaissance (GSEE’s Version):Looking Toward the Future. We are astonished by the GSEE graduates who have crossed boundaries, overcome adversity, and balanced the weighty and real things of life and academia. Yet here you are, chasing and accomplishing your dreams! We will have student speakers, an informal cording ceremony, a photobooth to capture all your memories, music by DJ Kewl WIP, catered cuisine, swag and treats!  

The event will be held at the wǝɫǝbʔaltxʷ – Intellectual House. Doors will open at 5:00 pm and the program will begin at 5:30 pm. Closing remarks will be at 8:30 pm. Please be sure to RSVP here

The Counseling Center is searching for students, faculty, and staff who would be interested in serving on its advisory board for the 2024-25 academic year. Applications due May 20th. See information and flyer below.

Apply if you want to:

  • make a difference in student mental health
  • destigmatize mental health
  • give voice to underserved students

Student Application: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=W9229i_wGkSZoBYqxQYL0ldf-vC6kQlGsVerqX_lR-RUMjJNM1owVzEzV1FMODBDSU9FNjFGN1RJRy4u

Faculty Staff Application: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=W9229i_wGkSZoBYqxQYL0ldf-vC6kQlGsVerqX_lR-RUMjJNM1owVzEzV1FMODBDSU9FNjFGN1RJRy4u

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Join us for a panel dialogue on Monday, 4/29 with SSW faculty/staff/alumni to listen and reflect on how being a first-generation college student may shape experiences moving into your career.

Navigating Career Decisions & Experiences as a First-Gen Student

Date & Time: Monday, April 29th from 6:30-7:30pm

Zoom Linkhttps://washington.zoom.us/j/98759394075

RSVP for the panel, and other SSW Spring Career Series events here: https://forms.office.com/r/sKrj8RbCXg

Join us for a workshop on resources, rights, and advice for disabled+neurodivergent people navigating job hunts and career planning. Facilitated by the Disability Rights Washington.

Date & Time: Tuesday, May 7th from 6:30-7:30pm

Zoom linkhttps://washington.zoom.us/j/99111134838

RSVP for the workshop, and other SSW Spring Career Series events here: https://forms.office.com/r/sKrj8RbCXg

Hello Social Work Students!

Applications are now being accepted for the School’s departmental scholarships for the 2024-2025 academic year. The application consists of a general scholarship application and five additional prompts for specialized funding opportunities. Apply here: https://forms.office.com/r/kgDAsADSX9

We encourage students with financial need and who are historically underrepresented in the field of social work to apply. 

Scholarship applicants must be:

  1. Currently enrolled in a UW (Seattle Campus) MSW/BASW Program 
  2. In good academic standing at the close of Spring quarter 2024
  3. Planning to be enrolled in Autumn 2024 
  • Applicants do not have to be a US Citizen or resident. International and undocumented students are encouraged to apply.
  • Students who have multiple quarter assistantships (e.g., GSAs covering tuition with stipend and benefits) or recipients of WDI, WSW, or CWTAP grants for 2024/25 are NOT eligible for additional funding. 

Application Deadline: May 12th by 11:59 pm (PST).

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Your Graduate & Professional Student Senate (GPSS) is holding a Diversity Resources Fair in Intellectual House on Saturday, April 27th from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm. This is an opportunity for students to help connect students with identity, cultural resources, and opportunities at UW and our surrounding community. 

The Washington State Society for Clinical Social Work (WSSCSW) is a professional organization of clinical social workers practicing in a variety of settings, including (but not limited to) mental health clinics, family service agencies, hospitals and medical clinics and private practices. The WSSCSW offers its members continuing educational opportunities, legislative advocacy including lobbying, network and professional growth opportunities and special programs for new professionals.

A part of our mission is to support and promote high standards of practice for those entering the profession. To this end we offer the Outstanding Student Paper Award to Washington State social work students in their graduating year. Two student papers are chosen each year as winners. First place is awarded $500 and second place is awarded $300 and both receive a free one-year membership to WSSCSW and free entry for one year to all WSSCSW professional development events. Both winning papers will be announced at the WSSCSW’s annual members dinner in summer of 2024 (date TBD) as well as acknowledged and published online.

Details: You must be a current social work student in your graduating year of a BASW or MSW program in Washington State. You do not need to be a member of WSSCSW to submit or to win. Please adhere to the following guidelines for your paper to be considered:

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Join us for a Happy Hour for associate therapists and upcoming masters-level graduates, at Halcyon Brewing Company (8564 Greenwood Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103) on April 25th at 6pm. Food and drinks will be provided, along with live music. There will be opportunities to connect with other associates, as well as with experienced supervisors from our group who regularly mentor associate clinicians. We will also take some time to talk about our Supervised Associate Program and discuss potential opportunities available with our group. 

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Join us to honor and remember the lives of loved ones we have lost and in support of those who are struggling.

Contribute to the Remembrance Garden Alter (4/23-5/2)

Tuesday April 23rd from 9am-9pm

Agenda; Bring photos, mementos, write a note to add to the Remembrance Garden Alter at the Kelly Ethnic Cultural Center (ECC) Lobby Area

Closing Ceremony and Community Healing Program (5/2)

Thursday May 2nd, from 3-4:30pm

Agenda; Calling of Names, Words of Appreciation, and give away of Garden Alter succulents to attendees as a keepsake and loving remembrance.

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The Mixed/Multiracial Student, Faculty, and Staff Affinity group is organizing a time to gather at the School of Social Work for folx who identify as Mixed and/or Multiracial. Bring your lunch and join us Friday, April 26th Noon – 1 pm @ SSW RM 116 (near the Gallery). We hope the time spent in shared community fills your cup with connection and belonging here at the School of Social Work. 

We look forward to seeing you soon!

SSW Mixed is a UW School of Social Work Mix/Multiracial Affinity Group for all students, faculty, and staff who identify as Mixed or Multiracial. 

Faculty Advisor: 

Shawnti Johnson  shawnti@uw.edu

Are you a UW graduate student in the final stages of your capstone, thesis, or dissertation project? Submit a proposal to present at the online preliminary round in early May. Successful presenters from the preliminary round will move forward to compete at the 2024 UW Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition, with an opportunity to win First Place, Runner Up, or People’s Choice Awards. More information: https://grad.uw.edu/current-students/student-success/3mt/

The competition is open to all eligible graduate students from Bothell, Tacoma, and Seattle campuses.

– Virtual preliminary round: Early May 2024
– Competition day (In person): May 23, 2024, 3–4:30 p.m., Seattle campus

Call for Proposals – For Virtual Preliminary Round
Submit your proposal by April 23, 2024 by 11:59 p.m. (PT)
Questions? Contact: uw3mt@uw.edu

Are you a graduate student, faculty, or staff member at the University of Washington? Are you curious about showcasing your scholarly story or research to a broader audience? Are you interested in making a digital story–basically a short video—that will dazzle viewers?  

The UW Libraries are offering a fun, community based, 4-week online workshop focused on the process of digital storytelling. This totally free, online program will take you through the start-to-finish process of brainstorming your idea with others, writing a script for narration and production, recording your narration, creating and collecting digital materials for your video, putting everything together with easy-to-use beginner video editors like Clipchamp and iMovie, and, finally, getting feedback and recognition from supportive peers in an accepting learning environment. 

In this workshop, you can expect to: 

– Interact, exchange ideas, and give feedback to fellow UW digital storytellers in an interdisciplinary, relaxed, and empathetic learning environment. 
– Write a script for a short video. 
– Collect, create, and organize digital materials to realize that script—like recorded narrative, images, video, sound effects, and music.  
– Learn about Creative Commons, fair use, and copyright in media making. 
– Learn how to use beginners’ video editors like Clipchamp and iMovie. 
– Learn about making accessible media complete with captions and transcripts. 

Workshop Details: 

– The course will run from April 16 to May 7. 
– There will be four live Tuesday sessions hosted via zoom from 10:00am-12:00pm on April 16, April 23, April 30, and May 7. These sessions will not be recorded: please plan on attending all of them.  
– The amount of time you can spend on your digital stories is definitely open ended, but we believe that over the course of four weeks, you’ll probably spend 15-20 hours going through the process of attending classes, coming up with an idea, writing a script, collecting digital materials, putting everything together with a video editor, sharing your work with others, and finalizing and celebrating your finished digital story!  

Register by April 9, 2024: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=W9229i_wGkSZoBYqxQYL0mR5pLSFtApDpgnFtM_jygRUNldUSkhUOEZUMkkyOFlPVTlQRzVQVzMwRC4u

Send questions to libstory@uw.edu. Learn more here: https://sites.uw.edu/libstory/

UW School of Social Work Community – SWAPI Members (SWAPI is a UW School of Social Work AANHPI Affinity Group for MSW, BASW, and PhD students, staff, and faculty who identify as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander)

Please save the dates for the Spring Quarter SWAPI Events:

Thursday, 4/18, 5:30-7pm – SWAPI Dumpling Making Party, Room TBD in the SSW, RSVP by Monday, 4/15 so we can get food count for meat and vegetarian dumplings: https://forms.gle/86unwMVo7dXUgHnR7

Saturday, 4/20, 4:30-5:45pm Dinner, 6-8pm – Book Event ““Where I Belong: Healing Trauma and Embracing Asian American Identity,” published by Tarcher Perigee discussion with Yellow Chairs co directors at Mam’s Bookstore in the CID (Chinatown International District). You can RSVP here and read more details here. SWAPI dinner before the event at 4:30pm in the CID. Dinner RSVP by emailing Saul (saultran@uw.edu) or Shannon McKinney (smckin@uw.edu).

Thursday, May 9, 5:30-7:30pm,– UW School of Social Work AANHPI “Telling Our Stories” – digital stories and other AANHPI student, faculty, and staff stories, poems, and art. School wide event (open to the whole school and those outside of SWAPI are welcome) – Location tbd within SSW location. RSVP to come out later. Food provided.

Thursday, May 23, 5:30-7:30pm, SWAPI Graduation party. Location and details to come out later.

Summer Quarter!

Saturday, June 29, 9-1pm, UW SSW and SWAPI – Walk for Rice at Seward Park, ACRS (Asian Counseling and Referral Service’s) fundraiser for their food bank. Open to everyone in the school! Join our team or donate! https://give.acrs.org/team/575717

Hope to see you all soon!

Are you interested in helping to plan, facilitate, or participate in some Earth Day/Week (April 22-26) events as a demonstration of your attention to Environmentalism/Environmental Justice?  Here are a few ways and who to connect with…

🌱 Plant Exchange (TBD) – SSW Community shares plant clippings/starts, pots, soil, green thumbs to increase plant life in our surroundings.  

🌱 Community Service Projects (TBD) – SSW Community participates in community service projects like clean ups, day of service, etc.

🌱 Swap N’ Meet (April 25th & 26th) – SSW Community donates new/like new clothing and accessories to swap while socializing over treats & beverages in the newly remodeled RC Open Area.  Then SSW Community donates what is not swapped to a local social service program. 

If interested in helping with planning or facilitating any of these events, come to the Planning Meeting on April 10th at 1pm in room 238F (Charlotte’s office, just knock at the hallway door) or contact Charlotte at carlotat@uw.edu to be directed to the leads of those events.

More info to come for those who are interested in coming to the events. Stay tuned!

Highlighting some upcoming wellbeing opportunities available to our students this Spring 2024. Prioritizing wellness is crucial, especially during busy academic periods, and these offerings aim to support our collective wellbeing. For inquiries, please contact stuwellb@uw.edu

1. **Psychoeducation Workshops**: Throughout this quarter, we’re hosting various workshops facilitated by our clinicians on various topics. These sessions will cover various techniques on healthy communication, stress management, intuitive eating, enhance focus, and many others. Or seeking to deepen your practice, these workshops offer valuable tools for self-care. Other workshops around relaxation and tarot for intuition to come later. Please see flyer below on information on these workshops and visit the Workshops and Groups Webpage for more information.

2. **Group Therapy** Sometimes one of the most effective ways to engage in therapy is in community, especially when loneliness is so prevalent. Group therapy can be an opportunity for students to work on a similar goal or take on a challenge, alongside a facilitating mental health therapist. Please see flyer below on information on these workshops and visit the Workshops and Groups Webpage for more information.

3. **Let’s Talk** Students may not be sure whether they want to seek out counseling or may not need counseling. There are times that students just want to connect and talk with someone. The UW Counseling Center is here to provide drop-in support for students from a therapist to talk about resources, or provide some insights. Students can drop in for in person Let’s Talk or a scheduled drop-in time. Learn more about Let’s Talk.

3.**Individual Counseling**: Our counseling center remains available to provide confidential support for students. Whether individuals are facing academic stress, personal challenges, or simply need someone to talk to, our licensed counselors are here to help. Encourage anyone in need of support to utilize this valuable resource at One to One Mental Health Support Webpage. Students can also schedule online on the UWCC Student Portal.

4.**Husky HelpLine – Urgent Support** There are times that things get hard, frustrating, or overwhelming and you need to talk to someone. Know that same-day support (operates 24/7) is available for our students through Husky HelpLine at 206.616.7777.  Another option is to call 988 for 24/7 access when in distress and for American Sign Language (ASL) support.

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