“I’m Supposed to Be Helping Others”: Exploring Food Insecurity and Homelessness for Social Work Students

Some students in higher education experience food insecurity and homelessness; however, the experience specifically for social work students has not been explored. This qualitative study investigates the experiences of 16 social work students in 4-year universities who lacked basic needs and examines how their need to seek support influenced their educational careers. Findings show that students faced tremendous challenges in their physical, mental, and academic well-being. Social work students navigated their circumstances while learning their professional roles in service to marginalized communities. However, some students were hesitant to seek resources because they perceived themselves as helpers, not help seekers. Social work educators can ensure student success by normalizing help-seeking behavior and support the development of on-campus resources.