Rebecca Mirick

Rebecca G. Mirick, Ph.D., LICSW is a licensed clinical social worker.  Dr. Mirick is an Associate Professor at Salem State University School of Social Work where she teaches clinical practice, human behavior, field, research, and an elective on Understanding Suicide to undergraduate and graduate social work students. Dr. Mirick has served as the chair of the BSW Curriculum Committee, the BSW Program Coordinator, and the chair of the Salem State IRB. 

Dr. Mirick received her PhD in social work from Simmons School of Social Work in 2011 and her MSW from Boston University in 2002.  As a clinical social worker, Dr. Mirick has worked with children, adolescents, families and adults in a variety of settings, including outpatient mental health settings, preschools, Early Intervention, HeadStart programs and DYS. Dr. Mirick's research has focused on suicide prevention, social work education, and client engagement. She has presented her research at a variety of national conferences, including CSWE's annual program meeting, BPD, SSWR, and AAS, and published peer-reviewed journal articles in the Journal of Social Work Education, Journal of Baccalaureate Social Work, Journal of Teaching in Social Work, Advances in Social Work, Child and Adolescent Social Work, Child and Family Social Work, Affilia, School Social Work Journal, and Families in Society. In addition, she has co-edited a book with Dr. Ronald Rooney titled: Strategies for Work with Involuntary Clients. 

Suicide prevention, anti-racist social work, social work education

BSW Program Coordinator 2019-2021, 2022-present
IRB Chair, 2017-2021, 2022-present 
BSW Curriculum Chair 2015-2017

Mirick, R. G. (In press). Suicide education in baccalaureate social work programs. Journal of Baccalaureate Social Work.

Wladkowski, S. P. & Mirick, R. G. (in press). Doctoral student parents during the COVID-19 pandemic: How did they fare? The Journal of Continuing Higher Education.

Mirick, R. G. & Wladkowski, S. P. (in press). “People will judge you and so be ready”: Advice to pregnant doctoral students. Advances in Social Work.

Mirick, R.G. & Berkowitz, L. (in press). ‘Their Facebook posts were going viral’: Social media in the aftermath of an adolescent suicide. School Social Work.

Mirick, R.G. & Wladkowski, S. (2023). Retaining respect as a scholar while pregnant: Experiences of pregnant doctoral students. Journal of Women and Gender in Higher Education. Advance Online Publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/26379112.2023.2266540

Mirick, R.G., Bridger, J., & McCauley, J. (2023). Trauma-informed school-based postvention services: Supports to students following a suicide death. Clinical Social Work Journal. Advance Online Publication.

Mirick, R.G. (2023).  Strategies for teaching suicide content in social work education: A survey of social work instructors. Journal of Teaching in Social Work. Advance Online Publication.

Mirick, R.G., McCauley, J., & Bridger, J. (2023). Integrating trauma-informed principles into suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention. Practice Innovations. Advance Online Publication.

Mirick, R.G. & McCauley, J. (2023). Listening to youth: Student perspectives on the SOS Signs of Suicide program. School Social Work, 47(2), 20-39.

Mirick, R. & Berkowitz, L. (2023). After a suicide death in a high school: Exploring students’ perspectives. Journal of Social Work in End-of-Life & Palliative Care, 19(4), 336-353. https://doi.org/10.1080/15524256.2023.2256481

Mirick, R.G. & Berkowitz, L. (2023). School based postvention services: Exploring the perspectives of students. Children & Schools, 45(4), 233-242.

Mirick, R.G., Berkowitz, L., McCauley, J., & Bridger, J. (2023). School-based screenings for depression and suicide: Identifying students at-risk of suicide. Children & Schools, 45(4), 233-242.

Mirick, R.G. & Wladkowski, S. (2023). Suicide and hospice caregivers: A case study. Journal of Social Work in End-of-Life and Palliative Care, 19(2), 93-102.

Mirick, R.G. & Wladkowski, S. (2023). Experiences of pregnant and parenting female students in social work doctoral programs, Journal of Social Work Education, 59(2), 303-315.

Mirick, R.G. (2023). Self-care in social work education: An experiential learning exercise. Journal of Social Work Education, 59(4), 1281-1286. https://doi.org/10.1080/10437797.2022.2119051

Mirick, R.G. (2022). A survey of suicide content in social work education. Journal of Social Work Education. Online first publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/10437797.2022.2119063

Mirick, R.G. & McCauley, J. (2022). Virtual SOS Signs of Suicide: Students perspectives and acceptability. School Psychology Review. Advance Online Publication.

Mirick, R.G. & Berkowitz, L. (2022). Adolescents’ experiences with school-based postvention services: Needs, supports, and recommendations. OMEGA-Journal of Death and Dying. Advance Online Publication.

Mirick, R.G. (2022). Social work practice instructors’ preparedness and readiness to teach suicide content. Social Work Education. Advance Online Publication.

Mirick, R.G. & Wladkowski, S. (2022). Infertility and pregnancy loss in doctoral education: Understanding students’ experiences. Affila: Feminist Inquiry in Social Work. Advance Online Publication.

Mirick, R.G. (2022). Are social work students being adequately prepared to intervene with suicide? Results of a national survey of BSW and MSW programs. Advances in Social Work, 22(3), 993-1005.

Mirick, R.G., McCauley, J., & Bridger, J. (2022). Trauma-informed clinical practice with clients with suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Smith Studies in Social Work, 92(3), 169-184.

Davis, A. & Mirick, R.G. (2022). Microaggressions in social work education: Learning from BSW students’ experiences. Journal of Social Work Education, 58(3), 431-448. 

Mirick, R.G. & Davis, A. (2021). Witnessing microaggressions: BSW students’ responses to vignettes, Journal of Social Work Education, 58(4), 794-801.

Mirick, R.G. & Davis, A. (2021). Only liberal view welcome? The experiences of conservative Christian BSW students, Journal of Baccalaureate Social Work, 26(1), 135-158.

Mirick, R.G. & Davis, A. (2021). Supporting social work students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Teaching in Social Work, 41(5), 484-504.

Davis, A. & Mirick, R.G. (2021). COVID-19 and social work field education: A descriptive study of students’ experiences. Journal of Social Work Education, 57(sup1), 120-136.

Mirick, R.G. & Davis, A. (2021). Microaggressions in social work classrooms: Recognition and response by BSW bystanders, Journal of Teaching in Social Work, 41(3)

Mirick, R.G. (2020). Social work instructors’ attitudes, beliefs, and practices about teaching suicide content. Journal of Teaching in Social Work, 40(5), 468-487.

Davis, A. & Mirick, R.G. (2020). Microaggression, macroaggression, or mistake? Exploring BSW students’ perspectives. Journal of Baccalaureate Social Work, 25(10), 197-219.

Mirick, R. G. & Massaro, B. (2024, March). To move online or not to move: A decision-making model for BSW programs. Paper Presentation at the Annual Baccalaureate Program Directors Conference. New Orleans, LA.

Davis, A. & Mirick, R. G. (2024, January). Developing anti-racist practice in social work field education. Paper presentation at the 28th Annual Conference of the Society for Social Work and Research. Washington, DC.

Mirick, R. G. & Diamon, M. (2023, December). An evaluation of the acceptability and feasibility of a brief online suicide prevention training program for teachers. The Annual Conference on Advancing School Mental Health. National Center for School Mental Health. New Orleans, LA.

Mirick, R. G. (2023, May). Brief online suicide prevention training for teachers: Acceptability and feasibility. Suicide Research Symposium.

Mirick, R. G. (2023, May). The role of social media following a youth suicide. Suicide Research Symposium.

Mirick, R.G. & Bridger, J. (2023, April). Trauma informed suicide prevention in higher education. Trauma & resilience in Higher Education Conference. MassBay Community College.

Mirick, R.G. & Bridger, J. (2023, April). Suicide loss and traumatic grief in schools. NASW MA Symposium.

Mirick, R. & Davis, A. (2022, January). White MSW students’ transformative learning experiences about racial justice. Paper presentation at the 27th Annual Conference of the Society for Social Work and Research. Phoenix, AZ.

Mirick, R.G. & Berkowitz, L. (2022, September). Students’ experiences following a suicide death at school: Supports, gaps, and student needs. Massachusetts Coalition for Suicide Prevention General Membership Meeting.

Mirick, R. & Berkowitz, L. (2022, June). Students’ experiences following a suicide death at school: Supports, gaps, and student needs. Paper Presentation at the Suicide Research Symposium.

Mirick, R.G., McCauley, J., & Bridger, J. (2022, May). Trauma-Informed Suicide Prevention. 21st Annual Massachusetts Suicide Prevention Virtual Conference.

Mirick, R.G., McCauley, J., & Bridger, J. (2022, April). A trauma-informed approach to working with individuals with suicidal thoughts and behaviors. NASW Massachusetts Symposium.

Mirick, R. (2022, March). Suicide prevention in BSW programs. Poster Presentation at the Annual Baccalaureate Program Directors Conference. Virtual Conference.

Mirick, R. & Simmons, L. (2022, March). Gatekeeping in BSW programs. Workshop at the Annual Baccalaureate Program Directors Conference. Virtual Conference.

Davis, A. & Mirick, R.G. (2022, January). White MSW students’ awareness of racism and engagement in anti-racist practice. Paper presentation at the 26th annual Conference of the Society for Social Work and Research. Washington, DC.

Mirick, R.G. (2021, November). Suicide content in Social Work Education: A focus on practice courses. Poster presentation at the 67th Annual Council on Social Work Education Program Meeting, Orlando, FL.

Mirick, R.G. & McCauley, J. (2021, April). The communication of suicidal intent: Implications for practitioners. NASW Massachusetts Symposium, Framingham, MA.

Mirick, R.G., McCauley, J., & Neymeyr, K. (2021, April). Delivering a virtual youth suicide prevention program during a pandemic. Paper presentation at the 54th Annual Conference of the American Association of Suicidology, Orlando, FL.

Mirick, R.G. & Davis, A. (2021, January). Social work students and the coronavirus pandemic: Implication for field education. Paper presentation at the 25th annual Conference of the Society for Social Work and Research. San Francisco, CA.

Mirick, R.G. & Wladkowski, S. (2021, January). Infertility and Pregnancy Loss: Exploring the Impact on Women Doctoral Students. Poster presentation at the 25th annual Conference of the Society for Social Work and Research. San Francisco, CA.

McCauley, J. & Mirick, R.G. (2020, July). Maintaining hope in times of uncertainty. Massachusetts Suicide Prevention Program: Webinar Series.

Mirick, R.G., McCauley, J., & Berkowitz, L.  (2018, April). Understanding Adolescent Suicide. NASW Massachusetts Symposium, Framingham, MA.

Mirick, R.G. (2020, April). Social work practice instructors’ attitudes, beliefs, and behavior teaching suicide content. Paper presentation at the 53rd Annual Conference of the American Association of Suicidology, Portland, OR.

Mirick, R.G., Back, L., Berkowitz, L., Bridger, J., & McCauley, J. (2020, April). Students’ perspectives on student education & screening for depression & suicide. Poster presentation at the 53rd Annual Conference of the American Association of Suicidology, Portland, OR.

Mirick, R. & Davis, A. (2020, January). Microaggressions in social work education: Students’ responses to vignettes. Paper presentation at the 24th annual Conference of the Society for Social Work and Research. Washington, DC.

Mirick, R.G. & Williams, M. (2019, November). Addressing risks of marginalization in research: IRB guidance to researchers. Poster presentation at the 2019 Advancing Ethical research Conference (AER19). Boston, MA.

Mirick, R. & Davis, A. (2019, October). Microaggressions in the social work classroom: Recognition and response by bystander peers. Oral presentation at the 65th Annual Council on Social Work Education Program Meeting, Denver, CO.

Wladkowski, S. & Mirick, R. (2019, October). Motherhood in doctoral education: Implications for social work educators. Poster presentation at the 65th Annual Council on Social Work Education Program Meeting, Denver, CO.

Walbam, K., Mirick, R., Simmons, L., & Amato, F. (2019, October). A case study of early competency-based gatekeeping in BSW Education. Poster presentation at the 65th Annual Council on Social Work Education Program Meeting, Denver, CO.