Today on World Social Work day, 21st March 2023, we held an online event joined by 130 Social workers from across Victorian mental health service settings, including Forensicare. WSW day provides an opportunity to acknowledge how communities can make powerful actions that lead to inclusive social transformation. This year’s theme is ‘Respecting diversity through joint social action’ and we enjoyed some great sessions that brought this theme to life.
Moisis, CMHL’s Social Work Educator, describes WSW Day as an opportunity to connect with like-minded people, enhance our practice and rejuvenate our passion for our work and advocate for social justice.
Our presenters and topics included:
- Dr Mayio Konidaris-Kozirakis, Senior Lecturer at Victoria University, speaking about her PhD in social work exploring the impact of cultural humility in social work education and mental health service provision.
- Dr Shelley Turner, Chief Social Worker at Forensicare talking on "The Shamed and the Forgotten": Families and Carers in Forensic Mental Health. Shelley's research and practice focuses on lived experience and models for ethical and effective statutory social work.
- Katherine Monson from Orygen, with special guest co-presenters George Yengi of Ubuntu Mental Health and Emad Iqbal of Six Degrees discussed initiatives to improve interagency partnerships and work towards health equity.
We would like to thank members of our World Social Work Day working group for putting the day together, including Lisa Hebel, Clare Martin, Beth Dunlop, Dr Kevan Myers, Christine Chiappini, Nicole Sydenham, Adham Hammoud, Leanne McGain, Julie Najdanovski, Tim Giles and Justine Grimmer.
A thank you also goes to the Victorian Mental Health Social Work Leadership Network, who supported today's event.
And finally, a thank you to the CMHL and CoP with Social Work Academics, Professors Melissa Petrakis and Lisa Brophy, Dr Mayio Konidaris-Kozirakis, Dr Shelley Turner, Dr Kath Sellick, Dr Caroline Lambert who supported and guided this event.
