The wildfires in California that are continuing to damage property and displace people pose significant threats to the mental health of civilians as well as first responders, with effects such as anxiety, depression and PTSD that may last long after the flames are extinguished. Experts recommend a variety of strategies, emphasizing that it is natural to have strong emotions and encouraging people to support one another. There is a pressing need for more licensed mental health professionals, which have been in short supply even before this crisis.

People who experiment with discontinuing alcohol for a month during Dry January may sleep better, have more mental clarity and cope with life's ups and downs more effectively, says licensed clinical social worker Kerri Michael. It's not uncommon for people to consume alcohol to try to relax, but "it actually is counterproductive to drink alcohol in order to cope with stress," says Michael.

Licensed clinical social worker Ericker Onaga recently took on executive director responsibilities at Community Health Action of Staten Island after serving as its chief program officer throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. "As a social worker, I value the one-to-one engagement, about ensuring the person feels valued, heard and supported," said Onaga, discussing her priorities.

Licensed clinical social worker Amy Morin provides an update on the latest teen slang used on social media and IRL (in real life). Morin breaks down general terms, shorthand depicting people and relationships, compound slang such as "hangry" that mashes up "hungry" and "angry," along with terms connected to parties, sex and drugs. She encourages parents to try to find a balance between privacy and being cautious about safety when monitoring their teens' social media usage.

The Supreme Court has agreed to review a decision by the US Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit that struck down some Affordable Care Act preventive care requirements. The lower court sided with employers who objected to covering services such as HIV prevention and certain cancer screenings, citing religious and procedural issues. The case is likely to be heard in the spring.

Commercial health insurance plans deny more claims than public payers, affecting both health care providers and patients. About 21% of people with employer-sponsored insurance reported denied claims, compared with 10% covered by Medicare, according to a 2023 analysis by KFF, and a 2024 survey from Premier found that around 15% of initial claims submitted to private payers, including Medicare Advantage and managed Medicaid plans, are denied, but about 54% of those denials are eventually overturned on appeal.

Leaders should embrace agile optimism, which is more open-minded than fragile optimism that hinges on positive outcomes, writes Nick Tasler, an organizational psychologist. "Believing that you or your team can accurately predict all the details on the road to your desired outcome without making any missteps ensures that it's only a matter of time before your fragile optimism shatters into a thousand little pieces," Tasler writes.

When a team member's disruptive behavior, negative attitude or lack of accountability hampers team morale and productivity, identify their specific problem and have a clear goal in mind to help them improve performance and measure success before having a conversation, says human resources consultant Wendy Sellers. "Even if a conversation addresses a behavioral issue, continuous support and check-ins are vital for sustainable improvement, and to let that difficult person know that you -- as their manager -- are not going to let their behavior slide," Sellers says.

We look forward to your participation in the 2025 NASW National Conference being held in Chicago, IL June 15-19, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency, Chicago. Mark your calendars now and plan to be a part of the meeting of the profession! More information will be forthcoming in the weeks and months ahead. Registration will open in January. Watch your email inbox and the NASW website for updates.