Hanover: School social workers at the limit – risk of suicide is growing!

Hanover: School social workers at the limit – risk of suicide is growing!

In Hanover, school social workers Marion Wagner and Lena Bergmann have reached a point where they want to talk about the challenges in their profession. In an open conversation, they emphasize that the high emotional stress and lack of appreciation in their job are increasing. A frightening finding: 44% of school social workers in Lower Saxony are seriously considering giving up their job. Loud haz.de Only 42% of respondents feel well supported by their provider.

The annoying issue is that many school social workers work alone, even though teamwork is actually intended. In some cases, a full-time position is responsible for up to 1,000 students, which doesn't make the situation any easier. The issues facing young people have changed, with increased levels of mental health issues and anxiety further fueled by the coronavirus pandemic and other crises.

Challenges for students and school social workers

School social workers not only experience emotionally stressful cases, but are also often confronted with suicidal students. At priority schools, the children's basic needs are the priority. Language problems and family difficulties have increased significantly. Wagner and Bergmann would therefore like to see more training opportunities in areas such as trauma counseling and media literacy. They lack the support and resources to be able to optimally help their protégés.

In addition, the unequal pay between state and local school social workers is criticized as untenable. Although the Ministry of Culture plans to improve working conditions and evaluate the results of the HTW Saar study, many professionals are skeptical as to whether these promises will actually be put into practice. More and more of the over 1,800 school social work professionals in Lower Saxony are deciding to change careers.

Mental health and school psychology

In another aspect of the topic, a study by the University of Frankfurt sheds light on stress management in children and adolescents. The analysis shows that it is crucial to identify the available tools for measuring stress in children and adolescents. Loud uni-frankfurt.de, many children are often overwhelmed by the stress of academic demands and emotional problems.

The study, which is based on extensive research, promises to provide insights for school psychologists to develop appropriate measures. At the same time, it shows where there are research gaps that need to be closed in the future. Stress management practices and support in schools are urgently needed because not only students but also teachers face enormous challenges and are at risk of burnout.

However, it remains important that, despite all odds, both school social workers and students raise their voices and push for the necessary change. Wagner and Bergmann's passion for their profession remains unbroken, even if the road to improving the situation is still long and rocky.