The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) will help lead the 2022 Social Work Month celebration in March with the theme “The Time is Right for Social Work,” which underscores the contributions social workers have made to this nation for more than a century and how the services they provide are needed more than ever as our nation addresses economic inequality, systemic racism, the need for improved health and mental health care, Covid-19 and other issues.
UTCSW is helping celebrate this year’s Social Work Month in March to highlight how social workers have enriched our society and how their services continue be needed today.
The annual Social Work Month campaign is a time to inform public, policymakers, and legislators about the services social workers provide in an array of sectors, including hospitals, mental health centers, schools, social service agencies, community centers and in politics. People become social workers because they have a strong desire to help others and make our society a better place to live for all. Social work is one of the fastest growing professions in the United States, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). There are almost 720,000 professional social workers in our nation, but that number is expected to rise to more than 800,000 by 2030, BLS said. Social workers have helped drive significant, positive changes in our nation.
Social workers such as social reformer Jane Addams, former Labor Secretary Frances Perkins, and civil rights leaders Dorothy Height, Whitney Young and Ida B. Wells have pushed for voting rights, equal rights, Social Security, unemployment insurance, and other programs.
Social workers continue to work on the frontlines throughout the pandemic, helping clients get the health care they need and helping loved ones overcome grief and loss. Social workers will continue to play a key role in helping people as this nation grapples with issues such as racism, economic uncertainty, deep political and cultural differences, and natural disasters fueled by global warming.
Each day, social workers empower millions of Americans so they can live life to their fullest potential. Social workers also work in communities and in politics to improve living conditions for all. During Social Work Month we urge everyone to learn more about this amazing profession, thank the social workers, and help support the profession.”