Social Work and Counselling
Social work is concerned with the interaction between people and their social environment which affects the ability of people to accomplish their life tasks, alleviate distress, and realise their aspirations and values. The purpose of social work is to:
- enhance the problem-solving and coping capacities of people;
- link people with systems that provide them with resources, services, and opportunities;
- promote the effective and humane operation of these systems, and
- contribute to the development and improvement of social policy.
Within the Society, the aims of social work are to
- promote independence and self worth by enabling people with multiple sclerosis to do as much as they possibly can for themselves through providing appropriate professional back-up, information, support, referral, advocacy and resources.
- avoid duplication of similar services or resources in the community where possible, this may require negotiation, advocacy and liaison.
- help overcome the sense of isolation and alienation often felt by people with disabilities by organising and establishing self-help groups for people with multiple sclerosis experiencing similar situations. For example, the Workers with MS group and the Carers group.
- cope with the secondary problems associated with multiple sclerosis, including coping with the grief and shock of the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis; dealing with family and work situations as one adjusts to having multiple sclerosis; and learn to live with the unpredictable nature of the condition.
- assist families to cope with the psychological effects of the diagnosis or exacerbation of multiple sclerosis.
For further information, please contact the Manager on telephone 9365 4835 .