Social workers like Jessica Morales help Edina High School students navigate their social-emotional and academic lives, serving as a resource for problems with mental health or interpersonal relationships.
Zephyrus: What is your main responsibility as a social worker?
Jessica Morales: My main responsibility is to make sure that each and every student is safe, feels heard, and feels cared for.
Z.: What’s the difference between social workers and counselors?
J.M.: Counselors tend to be more academic or college-focused, and social workers tend to be more mental health-focused. I know there are students that only meet with their counselors and talk about mental health, home, or friend struggles, and that’s fine too, but as social workers, that’s kind of our niche.
Z.: What can students talk to you about?
J.M.: Literally everything and anything. Ebony [Gums] and I try to do a pretty good job of keeping our doors open. Students can just stick their heads in and just check in to see if we’re available. Every time a student comes in here, it’s confidential unless students talk about hurting themselves or others: then we have to reach out for parental or admin support. Between us and the counselors, we are safe spaces for students.
Z.: What resource do you think is helpful for students struggling with their mental health?
J.M.: I don’t know if people know about our Reset Room, the room right across from mine. It’s a room that has dim lighting, couches, tables, and chairs: a place for kids to take care of themselves or take a break if they need it. There’s a sign-in sheet on the outside of the door, and we just ask that students sign in before they use it. Ebony or myself will stick our heads in just to make sure everything’s okay. If students need longer than 15 or 20 minutes, we just ask they check in with one of us.
