"A breath of fresh air": mindfulness training for early-career mental health social workers in Israel during COVID-19

• Published in: Social work in health care Vol. 62; no. 1; pp. 19 - 40
• Main Author: Segev, Einav
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Routledge 02.01.2023; Taylor & Francis LLC
• Subjects: Activities of daily living; Careers; COVID-19; COVID-19 - epidemiology; early-career social workers; Everyday life; Family relations; Family work relationship; Humans; Israel; Medical social workers; Mental Health; Mental health services; Mindfulness; psychosocial intervention; Rehabilitation; Self care; social support; social work; Social workers; Social Workers - psychology; Training; Uncertainty; Work life balance; Work-Leisure conflict; Israel; social support; early-career social workers; psychosocial intervention; Mindfulness; social work; mental health
• ISSN: 0098-1389; 1541-034X
• DOI: 10.1080/00981389.2023.2165597

The present study examined the effectiveness of participation in a mindfulness group for Israeli early career social workers during the COVID-19 period. Eleven participants conducting fieldwork in a mental health rehabilitation center were interviewed. The participants described a variety of benefits from their mindfulness training, in three main areas: (1) Personal: applying mindfulness in their daily life; (2) Family: improved work-life balance and family relationships; and (3) Professional: applying mindfulness in their work with mental health clients. Mental support and self-care tools provided to early-career social workers were perceived by the participants as helping them overcome uncertainty, fatigue, and overwork.