This page may be updated periodically as the situation develops.
There is consensus among major social work, mental health, medical, and other helping professional organizations that the separation of children from their parents at the U.S. border is inhumane and inflicts trauma and toxic stress, leading to irreparable, long-term psychological and physical harm. The National Association of Social Workers has issued a statement regarding the separations.
The following are some resources that provide information about the issue and ways that social workers and others can advocate, donate, and volunteer.
Articles
Professional Organization Statements
- NASW statement on child separations
- American Psychiatric Association statement
- American Academy of Pediatrics statement
- American Nurses Association statement
Religious Community Statements
- National Council of Churches statement: End Cruel Separation of Families
- Jewish Communal Letter Condemning Family Separation Policy
- Bishops Across U.S. Condemn Separation, Detention of Children
Ways To Advocate, Donate, or Volunteer
Readers React
Peter, thank you for sharing your experience and your lesson. Time to be present with emotions is s
Bobbi H. | Clinical Intersections: Loss and the Edge of Loss
Well written!! The growing trend of using technology in social work interventions is rapidly increa
Joshua Allen | Social Work Tech Notes - Social Work and Future Technology: What Can Be Automated, Will Be
When most people think of the words useless and worthless, they think ‘of NO use’ and ‘of NO worth’
Clayton Maurer | Let's Talk About Suicide: #LanguageMatters
It was really good by sharing the experiences. It would motivate the growing social works to up ho
Sebastian. A | Beyond “Fixing” It: Finding Strength in Your Limits as a Social Worker