GSSW Statements

As social workers, scholars, and educators, we at the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Social Work (GSSW) watch unfolding news with both heartbreak and outrage.

To stay silent at this moment is not an option.

Dean's Note

Many of us continue to be devastated by the suffering and loss of life in Gaza and Israel. As I expressed in a recent message to our students, staff and faculty, I believe that our social work values guide us to support a ceasefire in Gaza, a release of hostages held by Hamas, and an immediate end to the loss of civilian Palestinian life that is occurring.

At last month’s “War and Trauma” teach-in event on campus, I shared that Genocide Watch has stated that both Hamas’ October 7 attack and the Israeli government’s actions in Gaza have included acts or stages of genocide. The events over the last several months are, of course, only the latest heartbreaking chapter in a long history of conflict and occupation in the region.

Meanwhile, we are also distraught by the arrest of protesters on U.S. college campuses and by harm that has sometimes accompanied these events, including anti-Islamic, antisemitic and anti-LGBTQ+ actions or speech. On our own campus, where a Palestine Solidarity Encampment formed in early May, GSSW has been strongly committed to students’ rights to peaceful protest and demonstration carried out in non-discriminatory ways.

At times like these, what should we do, individually or as a collective? We may feel compelled to speak out or act for what we feel is just, and indeed social work principles expect us to do so. At the same time, there is rarely only one right or best course of action.

I believe that ethical challenges like those posed by this moment call not only for action, but also introspection and — as one of our associate deans recently said — intellectual rigor. We must each know our own values, interrogate our biases, consider our identities, and learn with rigor about any social justice issue where we focus our work.

I don’t have just one answer on what course of action each person should take, but I can tell you that we are committed to engaging in this important work together.


Lisa Reyes Mason, PhD, MSW
Interim Dean
Associate Professor

  • November's Dean Note

    I had originally planned to focus this note on highlights from GSSW’s annual progress report, but I find that other much more pressing issues are top of mind, including the ongoing crisis in Gaza and Israel (read my earlier message about the conflict and loss of life), the recent mass shooting in Maine, increasing antisemitic and anti-Islamic acts, and the unfolding humanitarian crisis here in Denver, where more than 26,000 migrants have been bussed from the nation’s southern border and dropped off with few resources and little support.

    Our students, staff and faculty are expressing sadness, fear, anger and frustration over these events, and others. From the climate crisis to anti-LGBTQ+ laws and an erosion of reproductive rights, we’re facing mounting challenges to social justice that test us personally and professionally.

    We chose the profession of social work because we wanted to make a difference, whether that’s at an individual, organizational, or broader systems or societal level. At times like these, we can become immobilized by the magnitude of the challenges before us and the heavy emotional weight of our work. We chose this profession because we care deeply, but sometimes compassion and empathy come at a cost.

    So, how do we care for ourselves so that we can care about and for others? GSSW alumna and Adjunct Instructor Alyssa Hetschel shares some excellent advice: When you’re feeling overwhelmed or burned out, focus on setting healthy boundaries, ask for help from peers, a counselor or a coach, and get involved. You’re not responsible for fixing all the world’s problems, she reminds students, and you can still support a cause while caring for your own well-being.

    I encourage you to continue reading widely, thinking critically, engaging difficult topics in the classroom and discussing them with your peers, including with people who may help broaden your perspective. Channel your anger into advocacy. Focus research on understanding and addressing the biases and motives that underpin injustice and on creating solutions for a thriving world.

    Also take time to rest and recharge, and ask for help when you need it. Let your social work values continue to guide your work as an agent of justice and peace.

    Lisa Reyes Mason, PhD, MSW
    Interim Dean
    Associate Professor

Support for Our LGBTQIA Community

Posted Monday, February 26, 2024

As news unfolds about the bullying and heartbreaking death of Nex Benedict, a nonbinary, indigenous (Choctaw) high school student from Oklahoma, we express our care and concern for our LGBTQIA+ and Indigenous communities.

Every individual, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, and indigenous heritage deserves the right to a safe and affirming learning environment. Over the past few years, anti-trans legislation and anti-LGBTQIA+ hate crimes have escalated dramatically, putting the well-being and safety of the queer community, particularly our youth, at risk. We also understand that Indigenous LGBTQIA+, Two Spirit, and Indigiqueer youth can experience intersecting and compounding harms and violence.

As social workers, we must continue to create a world where every member of the LGBTQIA+ and Indigenous communities can live authentically, with dignity and respect. Our collective responsibility is to advocate for comprehensive support systems, inclusive policies, and a society that embraces diversity without reservation. 

Please reach out to each other, your communities of care, and us, for support and on how we can help ensure GSSW is a safe and welcoming space.

Resources for transgender and gender-nonconforming people and their families in Oklahoma:

DU resources:

person hands rainbow ribbon

GSSW Statement: Anti-Trans Policy

Posted Monday, February 28, 2022

Policymakers in the US have sought to codify hateful and life-threatening restrictions on access to gender-affirming education and health care in states like Texas and Florida.

We stand in solidarity with the trans- and gender-nonconforming members of our community and with all those who are targeted by Opinion No. KP-0401, released this week by the Texas Office of the Attorney General. The opinion defines gender-affirming care for minors as child abuse and requires licensed child-serving professionals to report youth who have had gender-affirming medical care to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.

We are strongly opposed to this attempt to redefine child abuse, as it is a violation of evidence-based standards of care defined by the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Psychological Association, and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. For social workers in Texas, this non-binding legal opinion is not consistent with the current practices and rules that guide reports and investigations of child maltreatment. Any effort to comply with this opinion would be in direct violation of the profession’s Code of Ethics, as explained in a recent statement by the National Association of Social Workers—TX.

Second, we are outraged by legislative efforts in Florida, Tennessee, and other states to outlaw education about sexual orientation and gender identity, to block access to gender-affirming care for minors, and to restrict and censor educators teaching about the history of race, racism and other forms of systemic oppression in the US. The NASW Code of Ethics calls upon us to engage in political action and “advocate for changes in policy and legislation to improve social conditions in order to meet basic human needs and promote social justice” (NASW, 2021).

Many in our community are actively working to defeat these bills and we encourage our graduates and social workers across the country to speak out in opposition to these and similar bills under consideration in several states across the U.S. Any effort to restrict education about and access to gender-affirming care is not only in violation of accepted medical standards of care but is also a direct threat to the health and well-being of transgender and gender-nonconforming young people.

May we be fueled by our values and our commitment to action in response to these egregious violations of human rights. 

Resources for transgender and gender-nonconforming young people and their families in the US and Texas:

Organizations working to support transgender and gender-nonconforming young people:

 DU Resources:

female with stop war help ukraine sign

GSSW Statement: Ukraine

Posted Monday, February 28, 2022

We recognize that a dire humanitarian crisis is unfolding in Europe— Russia has invaded Ukraine, a sovereign country with a democratically elected government, which violates international law as well as the human rights of the Ukrainian people. 

Already, more than 500,000 Ukrainians have fled their homes and crossed borders into Poland, Hungary, and neighboring countries, often carrying small children, pets and only those possessions that can fit into backpacks. Others have taken shelter with their families in underground rail stations and basements; many have lost their lives.

This crisis is not unprecedented, but instead is consistent with ongoing assaults on human rights and democracy in the U.S. and around the world. Please follow these organizations working to support Ukrainian refugees:

GSSW Statement: Gun Violence

Posted Thursday, May 26, 2022

It is all simply staggering—one tragedy after another. Gun violence is killing us—our children, our older adults, our neighbors, our fellow humans. Racism, white supremacy, toxic masculinity, and lack of leadership fuel this violence. As much as we may feel speechless, numb, and hopeless in the face of so much hate and inaction, I hope we will dedicate ourselves to action as social workers.

One of the lessons of the pandemic is that we are psychologically and physically moored through our social relationships and connections. Please do not go about life as usual. Name and acknowledge this humanitarian crisis, moor yourself, and support one another.  

Please review our short list of resources related to gun violence and legislative action to inform possible action. 

Club Q

Club Q Shooting

Posted November 21, 2022

We are devastated by the horrific shooting at Club Q—a place that is supposed to be a sacred, supportive, and safe space for the queer community. We send love and care to our LGBTQIA+ community members and to all who have been impacted by this act of violence. Amid this grief and fear, if you need a space to talk, or a way to support the victims of this hateful act, please reference our resources:

Support:

Talk: