Do you love being a social worker/MSW/Mental healh worker in your state?-(United States)
I am currently a case manager in a red state for the past three years, and am one year into my MSW program. Daily I witness the lack of support. From treatment court only releasing incarcerated clients who can afford legal representatives. To spending an hour of my day over the phone explaining why our outpatient treatment services 99% of the time can not be covered by medicaid or medicare.
I knew my state had very few resources. We are in a drought of social workers, and things are only getting worse. My program is only graduating around 15 MSWs, and this is the only MSW program I know of in the state. We have always been in the top 5 for suicides.
Im still young (27) and my state has no lgbt, abortion, social safety net etc protections and we are slipping further right as the years go on. If I stay, I am guarenteed a job with 5-year-student loan repayment options. Im stressed at work, don't feels safe in my rural community. I have few ties here, and for similar reasons, once I have my degree, and some experience in the field, I want to flee even if I will barely be able to afford life.
Do y'all have any reccomendations for states that work to protect social welfare programs beyond the obvious (Cali, Minnisota, Washington, Oregon). I'm making a list to hive myself hope, so any opinion is accepted!
I am currently working in addictions and hevaily interact with local courts, but in future want to work hospital/inpatient for mental health.
Thank you all so much for your time.