WVU Medicine celebrates National Social Work Month

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – WVU Medicine is celebrating National Social Work Month this March. Gov. Jim Justice issued a proclamation recognizing National Social Work Month at the request of WVU Medicine social worker Cynthia Harper, M.S.W., L.G.S.W.

This year’s theme, “The Time is Right for Social Work,” highlights how social workers have enriched society for more than a century and how their services continue be needed today.

Social Work Month 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.

Social work is one of the fastest growing professions in the United States, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. There are almost 720,000 professional social workers in the nation, but that number is expected to rise to more than 800,000 by 2030.

According to the National Association of Social Workers, social workers continue to work on the frontlines throughout the pandemic, helping clients get the healthcare they need and helping loved ones overcome grief and loss. Social workers will continue to play a key role in helping people as the nation grapples with issues such as racism, economic uncertainty, deep political and cultural differences, and natural disasters fueled by global warming.