This short narrative film reveals how one social worker navigates the ethical dilemma she faces when her client’s preferences go against the mandated responsibilities of her profession. In a not-so-distant future, a social worker visits a rural family as part of a campaign to apply government-issued “happy patches” to children, giving them micro-doses of medication in an effort to protect their “right to be happy.” But 4th-grader Kayleigh doesn’t want a happy patch, preferring instead to regulate her negative emotions on her own through imaginative play. The social worker makes a compelling case for the micro-dose intervention, touting it as an important means of protecting Kayleigh’s mental health as she enters adolescence, but Kayleigh helps the social worker realize the value of experiencing a range of human emotions. This is an excellent film for inciting discussions about the best interests of children, the ethical quandaries social workers may face when clients are not compliant with mandated treatment, the impact of technological interventions on human services, and the future of social work. Written & Directed by Ryan Patch, 2020. Length: 12:05, available from @thinkshorts: https://thinkshorts.com/15806/regulation . . . . #technologyinhumanservices #childwelfare #futureofsocialwork #ethicaldilemma #shortfilm #socialworkonscreen #socialwork #socialworker #socialworkers #socialjustice #mentalhealth #lmsw #lcsw #therapist #msw #bsw #therapy #socialworklife #socialworkerlife #socialwelfare #socialpolicy #macrosw #macrosocialwork #mswcareers #professorsofinstagram #highered #mswstudent #socialworkstudent #counselor #counseling https://www.instagram.com/p/COL6PeRDr4R/?igshid=18tj3o7y3hwug
