Over 2,000 AUPE members are employed as social workers, helping with family violence protection, assisting low-income earners, supporting persons with disabilities, and helping protect children and youth at risk.
“Every day, these workers commit themselves to helping some of our most vulnerable neighbours,” said AUPE President Guy Smith, who worked for 25 years as a frontline Child and Youth Care worker.
“Social workers are witness to trauma on a daily basis. They’re up against systems of inequality that affect people in our communities, and as a result they can carry a heavy weight that doesn’t go away at the end of the workday,” adds Smith.
Social workers are particularly vulnerable to burnout and post-traumatic stress.
Over the last few years, AUPE’s social workers, with the help of members in all sectors, have been raising awareness about the particular stresses they shoulder from their experiences on the front lines.
“The Workload language our provincial government social services workers have secured after many years of struggle is having positive effects, helping our social services workers take care of their mental and physical health while they support everyone around them,” said Smith.
AUPE encourages you to check out some of the events organizations across the province are hosting for Social Work Week. Visit www.acsw.ab.ca/site/social-work-week?nav=sidebar for a full list.
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