Training MSW Students for Integrated Behavioral Health Care During COVID-19: Lessons Learned from Two Programs

ABSTRACT

This article describes how two Southeastern social work programs delivered integrated behavioral healthcare training to MSW students and social work practitioners during the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 posed challenges across five domains, including: (a) adaptations to course curricula; (b) adaptations to field education curricula; (c) experiences of grief, distress, and behavioral health issues by stakeholders; (d) organizational strain to universities and departments; and (e) effects on clients and the community. This article describes specific ways in which these two training programs were impacted in these five areas and modified in response, as well as similarities and differences experienced across institutions. Implications for these training programs, and social work education programs in general, are offered.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Health Resources & Services Administration, Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program [M01HP31378 (UofSC) and M01HP31370 (UNC)].

Notes on contributors

Melissa C. Reitmeier

Melissa Reitmeier is clinical associate professor at the University of South Carolina. Lisa de Saxe Zerden is associate professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Teri Browne is professor at the University of South Carolina. Meryl Kanfer is program coordinator at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Aidyn L. Iachini is associate professor at the University of South Carolina. Rebecca B. Brigham is clinical associate professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Lisa de Saxe Zerden

Melissa Reitmeier is clinical associate professor at the University of South Carolina. Lisa de Saxe Zerden is associate professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Teri Browne is professor at the University of South Carolina. Meryl Kanfer is program coordinator at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Aidyn L. Iachini is associate professor at the University of South Carolina. Rebecca B. Brigham is clinical associate professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Teri Browne

Melissa Reitmeier is clinical associate professor at the University of South Carolina. Lisa de Saxe Zerden is associate professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Teri Browne is professor at the University of South Carolina. Meryl Kanfer is program coordinator at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Aidyn L. Iachini is associate professor at the University of South Carolina. Rebecca B. Brigham is clinical associate professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Meryl Kanfer

Melissa Reitmeier is clinical associate professor at the University of South Carolina. Lisa de Saxe Zerden is associate professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Teri Browne is professor at the University of South Carolina. Meryl Kanfer is program coordinator at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Aidyn L. Iachini is associate professor at the University of South Carolina. Rebecca B. Brigham is clinical associate professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Aidyn L. Iachini

Melissa Reitmeier is clinical associate professor at the University of South Carolina. Lisa de Saxe Zerden is associate professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Teri Browne is professor at the University of South Carolina. Meryl Kanfer is program coordinator at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Aidyn L. Iachini is associate professor at the University of South Carolina. Rebecca B. Brigham is clinical associate professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Rebecca B. Brigham

Melissa Reitmeier is clinical associate professor at the University of South Carolina. Lisa de Saxe Zerden is associate professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Teri Browne is professor at the University of South Carolina. Meryl Kanfer is program coordinator at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Aidyn L. Iachini is associate professor at the University of South Carolina. Rebecca B. Brigham is clinical associate professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.