From Trauma to Triumph: How One School Social Worker Is Changing the Narrative for At-Risk Youth

Where others see only hardship, Rebecca Strike sees hope.

As a school social worker, she is both a counselor and advocate for teens who have endured adverse childhood experiences—from parental neglect and mental health challenges to pregnancy and substance use disorders. These are young people too often defined by their circumstances, written off because their paths have not been easy.

But within the halls of the alternative high school where Strike works—a setting designed for students who need a nontraditional, more flexible path to graduation—she focuses on potential, not problems. Every day, through steady presence and skilled intervention, she is helping students rewrite their narratives. She is changing lives.

“We have been trying to show that these kids can be just as successful as any other kid. They just need an understanding environment to help them grow,” says Strike, who earned a Master of Social Work (MSW) from Chamberlain University in 2022. “My hope is that the more kids succeed here, the more the rest of the community will see that these kids aren’t failures, they’re survivors and have the perseverance to succeed despite life throwing ongoing obstacles at them.”

Representing Those Without a Voice
The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) designates each March as Social Work Month, honoring the nation’s more than 810,000 social work professionals.1 This year’s theme is Social Workers: Uplift. Defend. Transform. It captures the essence of what Strike aims to do daily: elevate student potential, advocate for equitable support, and create pathways to lasting change.

Strike’s responsibilities reflect the breadth of social work practice. She intervenes in crises, teaches emotional regulation and life skills, guides students in setting achievable goals, and offers a clinical lens when situations require deeper assessment.

She is, as she describes, the “go-to person for many students when they need a listening ear or help with something in or outside of school.” In an environment where trust must be earned, consistency and compassion are essential tools.

Strike says working in the alternative high school has been her most meaningful social work career experience so far. “Even though it is my first year, I have felt I have made more of a difference here in the short time than I have in any other role I’ve had.”

Meeting Complex and Growing Needs
The students Strike serves face layered challenges. Addressing one issue in isolation is rarely enough. Effective intervention requires a holistic, trauma-informed approach that considers the full context of a young person’s life.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Protecting Youth Mental Health advisory, high school students are experiencing sharply rising rates of depression, anxiety, and persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness. Despite the growing need, many students lack adequate access to mental health care, highlighting the urgency of stronger support systems in schools and communities.2

Youth mental health concerns are helping to fuel the demand for social workers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports overall employment of social workers is projected to grow 6% from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations.3 As student mental health needs receive more attention, many schools may find they need additional school social workers.

“Future social workers need an understanding of culture, trauma, and overall mental health. In every role, we will be faced with having to work with someone that has experienced trauma, comes from a different background, and/or struggles with mental health,” Strike says.

Building Skills for the Realities of Practice
The MSW alumna credits her alma mater for the CSWE-accredited master’s education that grounded her in both theory and application, preparing her for the complexity of real-world social work practice.

“Not only did I get great and relevant information to current social work, but I also was taught self-care and cultural awareness. In talking with others who have done other programs, self-care and cultural competency are not driven into you as much. But these are both very vital parts of our job, not only for the clients we serve, but for ourselves,” Strike says.

She also valued the MSW program’s specialty focus areas. She chose the trauma social work track, which provided training and skills she uses to help clients process and recover from traumatic experiences.

“Having a specialization in trauma and three years of experience as a trauma therapist has been very helpful when working with these kids, as a lot of them come from tough places and experiences,” Strike says. “When students started greeting me and coming to me on their own, I felt accepted and that I had earned their trust, which is not easy at an alternative school.”

Celebrating National Social Work Month
For professionals dedicated to serving others, pausing for recognition doesn’t always come naturally. Yet Strike believes acknowledgment matters.

“We perform a very hard job. Not everyone realizes the time, knowledge, skills, patience, and heart that we put into our work every single day—most of the time without any acknowledgment or recognition,” she says. “It’s important to recognize one another, not just during National Social Work Month, but all the time. But having a month to celebrate us is awesome too!”

According to the NASW, Social Work Month is intended to raise awareness about the profession’s contributions and the critical role all types of social workers play in addressing society’s most pressing challenges. Much of this work happens outside the spotlight, but its impact is felt in schools, hospitals, courts, and communities nationwide.

Stories like Strike’s illustrate the profession’s impact at the most personal level: one student, one breakthrough, one restored sense of possibility at a time.

Continuing the Work Ahead
While Strike can’t predict every turn her social work career will take, she is clear about her mission.

“I hope to help continue the fight against the stigma of mental health and seeking help. Living in a rural area of an otherwise progressive state, I see a lot of negative perspectives when it comes to mental health and anything that goes against societal norms. I will continue to advocate for those who do not have as much of a voice out here as much as I can and support my students to the best of my ability.”

Strike’s commitment to social work practice extends beyond her school. She has stepped into a regional leadership role within her state’s school social work association, supporting other school social workers. “I want to make a difference in a leadership role and see where it takes me,” she says.

   Her journey reinforces the importance of Social Work Month as a time to recognize the skill, resilience, and sustained commitment of professionals working in complex, emotionally demanding environments and who choose, day after day, to see strength where others see struggle.

   “This job takes a lot out of you, but it is so worth it,” she says. “Remember to take care of yourself. If you struggle with that, remind yourself that you can’t be there for others if you’re not there for yourself. Both in school and after school, you matter too. You’re human. So, treat yourself as such. We’re great at giving advice, but not always at following it.”

With that perspective guiding her, Strike continues her work, for her students, colleagues, and community, demonstrating that when expertise is paired with empathy, social workers truly do uplift, defend, and transform lives.

Increase Your Social Work Impact
The annual national Social Work Month reminds us of the profound difference dedicated social work professionals make in communities and in the lives of individuals and families.

In recognition of that influence, Chamberlain University proudly celebrates MSW alumni like Rebecca Strike and the vital work she and others perform as school social workers, medical social workers, mental health therapists, and in many other essential roles.

For those ready to take the next step into social work practice, Chamberlain offers an online Master of Social Work (MSW) degree program created for working professionals, career changers, and passionate advocates who want to advance their expertise without putting their lives on hold. Here are some of the top features of Chamberlain’s MSW:

• Flexible Online Format: Coursework is delivered fully online and available 24/7, allowing you to study around work, family, and life commitments. 
• Customizable Curriculum: Choose from three specialized tracks—Crisis and Response Interventions, Trauma, or Medical Social Work—or design your own focus.
• Advanced Standing Option: Choose an accelerated path if you hold a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from a CSWE-accredited program, with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Hands-On Practicum Experience: The program includes guided fieldwork that connects academic learning with practical social work practice.
• CSWE Accreditation: Chamberlain’s MSW is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, meeting rigorous professional standards and helping to support licensure eligibility.
• Diverse Learning Formats: Engaging online experiences include case studies, videos, discussions, and simulations that mirror real-world scenarios.
• Robust Student Support: Advisors and field education coordinators help you navigate your academic journey from enrollment through graduation. 

When you join Chamberlain’s MSW program, you become part of a network of professionals dedicated to advancing social work practice and serving those who need it most. Get more information online or call 877.751.5783. A stronger community starts with you. Bring your gifts, voice, and passion to a profession that’s changing lives every day.

Chamberlain University, an HLC-accredited institution, offers bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and certificate programs in nursing and healthcare professions. With a growing network of campuses and robust online programs, Chamberlain continues to build on more than 135 years of excellence in preparing extraordinary healthcare professionals.

1Source : www.socialworkers.org/News/Social-Work-Month/Theme-and-Rationale-2026
2Source: www.hhs.gov/surgeongeneral/reports-and-publications/youth-mental-health/index.html
3Source: www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm#tab-1