Hey, thanks. That was really good to read. Thank you. Do you have any tips on getting in touch with social work services? Costs, requirements, etc?

There should be no costs or requirements to get at least temporary assistance from a social service agency. This ranges from just talking to a crisis counselor on the phone to getting shelter, food, and case management. If you need help applying for things like medical insurance and other longer term care plans, there has to be somebody at the county offices that can help you. Depending on your location, there may be one of many nonprofit agencies which run crisis hotlines, food pantries, and counseling centers. Churches are a bummer, but they will also have a list of community resources and any decent one will have a staff member with some social work background, and you will probably make someone's day if you ask them for help. I'm talking community churches, not mega churches or "Rock Hard Soldiers Of Faith" revival shitholes.

I am not certain on the best way to get into contact with one. I have to consult with my academic advisor on Monday, though, so I can ask about it while I'm there.I think costs will vary depending on the worker. Lots are employed by government agencies and nonprofits, some work in private practice. The values of the profession do encourage sliding scales and pro bono work, though. Actually, I think a certain amount of pro bono work is generally expected as a professional obligation (social justice is a huge value for social workers).My academic advisor - one of the three social work professors on staff, all of whom are practicing social workers - says the best way to think of social workers is as cockroaches for good. I.e. the whole Assassin's Creed thing of working in the dark to serve the light. Probably where Ubisoft ripped it off from.

Thanks folks. I'm currently between states right now with ambiguous residence prospects. I'm going to start digging around for contacts.

Just finished a great session with my shrink. (No pants shitting this week.) Walk out, hit shuffle, Fugazis 23 Beats Off first song. There's hope right now. Fucking a. Find the small things.

VaticanShotglass wrote:So, what do social workers do? Is there any water in that well?(I'm not talking about a social worker who works as a therapist. I'm talking about whatever else social workers do with people who are just complete disasters.)I work at a Community Behavioral Health agency primarily staffed by social workers. I'm not clinical staff but in general here are some of the types of services social workers do that aren't therapy: Case Management: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Case\_management\_(mental\_health)ACT: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assertive\_community\_treatmentPSR: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychiatric\_rehabilitationThe Department of Human Services (DHS sometimes HFS) can put you in touch with social workers, but you're probably better off looking up a Community Mental Health Center wherever you are. It'll be faster and they do referrals all day based on individuals needs (type of needs, insurance needs, financial needs, etc.)

VaticanShotglass wrote:Thanks folks. I'm currently between states right now with ambiguous residence prospects. I'm going to start digging around for contacts.Sorry it took so long (I've been sick as a dog), but I did ask my professor today, and he says that a good way to get in touch with a social worker is to contact your local Department of Human Services.Good luck!

Moving out of the apartment I've shared with my wife for six years at her request. It sucks. It was home more than anywhere. I don't have enough room in the borrowed minivan to fit anything but essentials. Other than the packing, it's almost been a fun week hanging out with her again. It seems like everything is normal and good, but I think she is just in a good mood because I'm leaving. She really put a lot on my depression and agoraphobia, which I know has been miserable to live with. She says things like, you just never got better and suggesting that the failing of our relationship is so much down to my mental health problems. I know that's not true. There were other problems, but she's really latched on to this issue. It's hard not let that assessment strike right into the center of my fears about myself and what I can or can't achieve. I've been couch surfing for a year or so. Im running pretty low lately. I make progress, but then things cave in. And her hammering on my health problems as the reason doesn't want to be with me (this separation is the hardest thing I've faced emotionally) just keeps fucking with me. I've been trying so hard for two years to get back on my feet after my break down and I just keep losing ground. I know I should put her words into perspective and not let them get me all fucked up. I just feel so overwhelmed. My parents keep lying to people to cover up what is going on with me. My dad can't even comprehend depression as a thing. I'm so tired now. I know I'm not making much sense anymore. I know it's a mess. I know no one wants to read this stuff. I should be better by now. I should be making progress. And so on. No one has to respond to this. I don't respond to all these posts in these threads. It's raw stuff. I'm glad people share here, though. I need to go hit the sack. I hope something

I wish I could say it was easy.

*sleepy thumbs up*