Download the slides

Presenters

• Dr. Susan S. Witte (Bio)

• Dr. Carolina Vélez-Grau (Bio)

Description

Social support is among the most important aspects of human relationships and a central component of healing and wellness. This training is designed to examine social support—an exchange of assistance through social relationships— in its many forms, and as it has become at once compromised, yet more important than ever amid the COVID-19 pandemic. We will examine the impact that the pandemic has had on our ability to connect socially and the consequences of this impact; and explore how we may help individuals, families, and communities to maintain, restore and strengthen social networks as we adapt to new social norms with resilience.

Objectives: After completing this training participants will be able to:

• Name and identify forms of informal and formal supports; and predominant theories informing the role of social support in health and mental health.
• Describe the ways in which the COVID-19 pandemic has compromised social support across cultures while forcing new, emerging meaning and types of support.
• Describe, use, and train others in the use of an online social support network mapping tool (SSNM) developed for evidence-based health promotion interventions and social work practice.