Georgia school social workers respond to growing student mental health needs
Published 12:38 am Wednesday, November 12, 2025
Across Georgia, schools are seeing a rise in student mental health concerns – and social workers are becoming a critical part of the response.
Recent data shows that in Georgia, many students are experiencing major depression and many are not receiving the help they need. From anxiety and depression to housing instability and trauma, school social workers are now navigating a wider range of situations than ever before.
A shift in student needs
The pressures students face today go far beyond academics. Many come to school carrying the weight of family issues, social isolation, economic struggles or unresolved trauma. Counselors alone can’t keep up. That’s where school social workers step in.
Unlike guidance counselors, social workers often focus on external challenges that impact learning, such as a student’s living conditions, mental health diagnosis, or lack of access to resources. In rural areas like those found in South Georgia, they often juggle multiple roles at once: mental health liaison, crisis responder, case manager and advocate.
For example, school administrators have observed that students are showing signs of emotional stress at younger ages and with greater frequency. While the pandemic intensified these struggles, many schools had already begun noticing a rise in mental health concerns well before the pandemic.
On the frontlines of crisis
When a student starts acting out, missing class, or withdrawing socially, a school social worker is often the first to dig deeper. Sometimes the issue is bullying. Other times it’s an unstable home life or undiagnosed anxiety. These professionals help identify the root of the problem and connect students and families to the right kind of help, whether that’s therapy, food assistance or even emergency housing.
In many cases, school social workers serve as the bridge between educators and outside support systems. They know the local mental health clinics. They understand how to work with DFCS or juvenile courts. And most importantly, they know how to build trust with students who may feel overlooked or misunderstood.
Shortages and high demand
While the need for school social workers is growing, not every district has enough on staff. In some rural counties, one social worker may serve multiple schools (or even an entire district). The caseloads are high, and burnout is real. A February 2025 report from Public News Service also highlights this workforce pipeline challenge and the urgent need for more social workers and school psychologists in Georgia schools.
To address this, several school systems are partnering with local universities to bring in interns or recent graduates. Florida State University’s Online Master of Social Work (MSW) program is among the options preparing future social workers across the Southeast to meet these challenges head-on. MSW programs in Georgia, like the FSU Online MSW program for Georgia residents, allows aspiring professionals to earn a respected degree from a top-ranked university without relocating, making it possible to serve Georgia communities while studying.
The program’s flexible online structure and field placements in Georgia help students gain real-world experience in school settings, community agencies and mental health organizations, all while maintaining their work and family commitments.
Parents and teachers notice the difference
Teachers report that when a social worker is involved, students often get the help they need faster. Instead of constant disciplinary action or absenteeism, there’s a plan and a professional making sure it gets followed through.
Parents, too, are increasingly aware of the value. For families who don’t know how to navigate mental health systems or can’t afford private counseling, the school social worker may be their only reliable point of contact.
For example, one South Georgia mother whose son had been missing school due to panic attacks found crucial support through the school social worker. With guidance, her son was connected to a counselor, and the family received help understanding his condition. As a result, he was able to return to school and begin improving both emotionally and academically.
Moving forward
The need for mental health support in schools isn’t going away. If anything, it’s likely to grow. As schools look for ways to meet students’ emotional and social needs, social workers will continue to play a central role, especially if districts can hire and keep enough of them.
That’s why preparing the next generation of qualified school social workers is so vital. With programs like FSU’s Online Master of Social Work, students in Georgia can gain the advanced skills and credentials needed to make a lasting difference in the lives of children and families, right in their own communities.
Interested in becoming a school social worker in Georgia? Learn more about Florida State University’s Online MSW program and take the next step toward a rewarding and impactful career.