As a mental health professional, Christine Spadola has seen the power of sleep firsthand. "As a practicing psychotherapist, I remember noticing how my clients' mental health improved when they slept better. I also remember reflecting on how sleep health promotion was not a part of my graduate school training ," Dr.
Spadola said. But despite what a good night's rest can do for both clients and the social workers who serve them, lessons in the benefits of sleep are not part of required social worker curricula, according to Dr. Spadola.
It's a fact that she wants to change. "It is alarming to see data showing that social work students are not getting enough sleep. One of our goals was to educate social work students on sleep so they can promote sleep health among their clients as well as improve their own sleep habits.
" In new research published in the journal Social Sciences , a team led by Spadola examined the impact sleep education can have on students personally and professionally. Ninety social work students completed an online course designed to provide education on healthy sleep behaviors; stress the importance of referring clients to a primary care provider or sleep physician when needed; describe the impact sleep health can have on particular groups, such as children, substance-using populations and those experiencing homelessness; and provide evidence-based resources. On average, participants showed an improvement in sleep knowledge, with more than 95% reporting that t.