I currently work as basically a social worker with the county. Organizations, the police and even average citizens can put in a referral for someone to help them get connected to mental health and community services. The referrals usually describe a bit about current issues the person is facing.

Sometimes our database has other encounters they had with mental health providers. So you can get quite an extensive history about what someone has been through. I usually comb through that to combine with the current issues to come up with a rough plan of action and have various resources that could benefit the client.

Before the initial call, I confer with the assigned psychologist to discuss what we should anticipate given what we know. The first call, if it goes through, is confirming that the client is interested in how we can support them and to get additional details about what is happening.

Sometimes we reach a parent venting about their kid, or a daughter having difficulties caring for their elderly dad, or the client is distraught since theyre homeless or facing homelessness or facing various mental health struggles or....

One thing Ive learned over the course of this job is that most people just haven't had anyone to genuinely listen to them and offer real solutions. Our team doesnt just stop at phone calls however. If qualified, we schedule a home visit to do an assessment and bring additional information. We also do unannounced visits if we cant reach them over the phone.

I feel it makes such a dramatic impact actually meeting people where they live. Sometimes just from the yard you could get a sense of how things are going for the client. Though sometimes they live in a nice home and still are facing some serious mental health,biological and sociological issues.

Once inside the home, you could get a strong sense of priorities, a feel for how the physical place impacts their mental health and even their religious and political beliefs. Some places are so bad that I don't think any person could remain mentally well living there. The pets are always interesting but can be a distraction.

Our psychological assessments are not super thorough but the questions elicit some pretty comprehensive information. We are an engagement team, ultimately they will be handed to another mental health professional for long term treatment. Still, the things you hear help you get a very clear sense of the different realities people live in.

I usually begin to ask my own questions and provide some insights based on what I hear. I also give information about housing options, eviction avoidance assistance, senior services, warmlines, free legal services, support groups, food and much much more.

Additionally, sometimes the clients are eligible for a one time "client provision" which is basically gift cards and bus passes. We also have some ability to refer to medi-cal enhanced care management and community supports. Its a very under utilized asset.

We usually stay with clients for up to 60 days. During that time I follow-up with them and even help make phone calls with them if needed. Once they're connected, they are closed.

Every so often clients circle back around so we go through it all again. I think we have a pretty good success rate and even when things dont go accordingly, most people appreciate the effort nonetheless. I've so much about how other organizations have just put people in circles or didnt care at all. The worse even cause active harm. There's a lot of scammy room and boards and board and care places. If i had the power, I'd come down on them hard. So many seniors being scammed... So many abusive family members...

I wish we had more money to help clients in tough situations. I think the job is one of the rare opportunities to see who actually wants and needs help and how much they need not want.

Those that truly are trying, I try what i can to go out my way for them. For quite a few, the clinician and I are their only hope. It weighs heavily one at times especially since some clinicians would rather close case and not do assessments. Ive had to fight to keep a few cases open...which is ridiculous...

So yeah its basically that. On occasion, I attend outreach events and also talk to higher ups about needs in the community. For many of the big wigs,its just numbers. Sometimes I can spend 10 minutes on the phone with someone and turn someone's whole day around. Or i could drive out for an hour and they just say no. Yet production wise,the long visit looks better on paper.

Lastly, even the written reports and assessments dont come close to capturing the true nature of what we saw, the person or the issues. Even today someone became teary eyed after we gave him hope that he wasnt going to end up in the streets. There was a change in his whole body that a dry report just doesn't capture.

Honestly, I dont know if we can keep this specific guy off the streets. He and different girl gave such short notice of a pending eviction. Like seriously.... But with legal support there is a chance at extension. And he interviewed with 2 jobs and very much wants to just work. He says, "if only they knew how much i wanted to work they'd hire me". The guy just needs time....i hope the legal support can buy him and the girl (seperate case) an extension.

We are already preparing for the worse and hope 211 or some other program can place them if they are kicked out. The guy is better suited....the girl is heavily autistic but wasn't diagnosed as a kid so getting her autism support is an uphill battle since she doesnt have documentation of need due to a negligent parent...

I pray we don't have to scrambls next week. That's all