May 2021 - Chicago District Update

Michael Mallory, Chicago District Chair

Happy Mental Health Month, fellow Social Workers!

Like many of you, I have been eagerly waiting for the recent warm-up in the hopes of being able to enjoy the outdoors as this pandemic continues to limit our social engagements. It’s without a doubt that the pandemic has taken a substantial toll on all of as we’ve had to quickly change how we work, how we interact with our clients, loved ones, and other humans, as well as how we are conducting our work. All of these changes undoubtedly caused many of us to feel stressed, anxious, and fatigued to change.

I understand that I may sound like a broken record, but it’s crucial to practice self-care in order to help prevent/lessen burnout and compassion fatigue. In order to nurture others, we need to be able to nurture ourselves.

In an effort to promote wellness and self-care, I invite ALL of you to participate in a special event on May 20, 2021. In the spirit of Mental Health Month and to promote some self-care, I have worked with a local healer to put on a special self-care and wellness workshop. During this event, participants will participate in breath work, self-massage and stretching, and exploring how our more sedentary environments [working from home] causes physical imbalance from sitting.

[If you’re interested in attending please CLICK HERE]

I hope all of you consider attending this event in order to help promote more wellness into your lives and practice while setting aside the two hours as an investment of personal well-being.

Until next time,

—Michael