March 2022

"Social Work Month"

During the entire month of March, it is the opportunity to place the spotlight on social workers across the country and highlight the numerous contributions we make to society. It also provides a time to promote, and advocate for social workers through activities, events, and other outreach and awareness efforts.

In 1984 the White House began officially recognizing Social Workers in March as Social Work Month.   Since then the National Association of Social Workers has selected a social issue to promote each year, spanning topics such as the health care crisis, to hate crimes, to children in poverty, to homelessness and more.

Each year has a different theme and the 2022 theme is,  The Time is Right for Social Work.  According to National, this theme 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.

As social workers, daily you find yourselves in various demanding, often emotional situations.  From   discrimination, poverty, trauma, protecting children and adults with support needs from harm,  helping keep families under pressure together to supporting someone with mental health challenges.  What you do can be very difficult, especially when you give so much of yourself, despite the long hours and the emotional impact of the job and everything you have assigned to you. Yet, you do it without thinking, you always complete the assignments. It’s part of who you are – thank you for UNDERSTANDING your assignment.

As president of the National Association of Social Workers – Louisiana Chapter I want to personally take this opportunity to thank each of you for the many contributions you are making in our communities, and for your dedication to improving the quality of life for all people.  But, most of all thank you for being the source of stability and strength for the individuals and families you serve.
 

“The Time is Right for Social Work”, declares the theme of Social Work Month, March 2022! We all know that social workers do some amazing, life-changing work, but is that how everyone sees us? Well, you know the answer to that. It’s SO incredibly important that each and every one of us advocates for the field of social work, keeping it revered, respected, and utilized as the highly ethical, professional, efficacious, and meaningful occupation that those who paved the way before us worked so hard for it to be.

NASW organizations like the southernmost Houma-Thibodaux region participated in various advocacy and awareness initiatives. Nicholls State University instructors promoted social work with a banner on campus. Lafourche Parish President Archie Chiasson proclaimed March 2022 as Professional Social Work Month. A team of regional social workers attended the monthly Parish Council Meeting to support the proclamation and advocate for our beloved profession. Kim Thompson, LCSW-BACS, briefly highlighted the variety of social work careers that were represented by social workers in attendance, evidencing to the audience how many hats social workers wear. For example, as a private practice counselor, Kim helps people with anxiety, depression, suicidality, bipolar disorder, and various life challenges, in addition to teaching at Nicholls State University. Heidi Irwin, LCSW-BACS, serves as a mental health advocate for District Attorney, Kristine Russell. In her unique position, Heidi prepares, supports, and advocates for child victims involved in the judicial system for various reasons such as domestic violence, molestation, parental trials, etc. Additionally, her passion for social work makes Heidi perfect for organizing evidence-based programs such as Youth Empowerment and the Domino Effect (drinking and driving prevention). Kristen Callais, MSW, uses her social work training and roots to work in prison ministry and teach classes at Nicholls, such as Community Development. As nearly all social workers do, all three women actively serve several non-profit organizations, as well, such as CASA, the American Red Cross, local Sheriff’s departments, and various other grassroots initiatives.

The need for social work is limitless. Social workers counsel families and individuals via mental health agencies, rehabilitate and reunify broken families, assist students as school counselors, startup and operate non-profit agencies like food banks and shelters, serve domestic violence and child abuse victims, advocate for social justice and equality, help prevent suicide and human trafficking, operate hospital mental health units, help addicts attain sobriety in rehabilitation centers, and serve all of our communities’ most marginalized and at-risk populations. Perhaps we have never needed social workers more in the history of our nation, as mental health and substance abuse rates are at an all-time high, poverty remains a major concern, and equality is on the forefront of our socioeconomic agenda.

Social workers are born to and relied upon to make a difference. And March is our month to shout it from the rooftops. Be a proud social worker today and every day!  The time is NOW!