Radical Self-Care for Social Workers in the Global Climate Crisis

Abstract

Gradual environmental degradation, more extreme climate change events, and related environmental injustices affect individuals and communities every day. Social work entities around the world are increasingly highlighting professional responsibilities for addressing the global climate crisis. Often, social workers experience vicarious trauma from work with those immediately affected. Working within the context of the global climate crisis brings further risk. Social workers may be personally affected, or experiencing their own challenges, such as climate anxiety and eco-grief. Thus, radical self-care is a dire need as social workers promote sustainable communities and environments and seek ecological justice for all. This article discusses the health and mental health impacts of the compounding factors of the climate crisis, modern technology, and current political contexts. Activism for change and ecotherapeutic strategies are presented as radical self-care for social workers, in both academic and practice-based settings. These strategies are essential for recognizing, legitimizing, and addressing the need for radical self-care practices in the global climate crisis.

From self‐care to compassion resilience: Extending the model of protective factors for humanitarian practitioners

“…However, it is also important to acknowledge that self‐care places the onus of care on the individual and, more specifically, fails to recognize the structural inequalities and commercialism that can lead to the need for such care (Hobart & Kneese, 2020; Kim & Schalk, 2021; Powers & Engstrom, 2020). Hobart and Kneese (2020) claim that “political and financial economies…shape normative assumptions about who and what drive a practice of care” (p. 7).…”

The clinical implications of climate change for mental health

“…Distress experienced by affected mental health professionals without sufficient awareness or support can impair their ability to care for others. Self-care and support are needed for health professionals living through a climate-related disaster 79 . After all, mental health professionals are humans who experience environmental threats at the same time as everyone else in their community.…”

Social work self-care education informed during the pandemic: Experience, reflection, and suggestion

“…As personal stress was intertwined with social problems and political uncertainties during the pandemic, students in our classes were deeply troubled by social injustice, racism, and political polarization. To integrate the self-care component into the policy practice we taught, empowerment was identified as the bridge since taking action has been called 'radical self-care' to respond to social problems (Powers and Engstrom, 2020). Accordingly, we guided our students to develop a belief that rather than suppressing their strong feelings (e.g.…”