NATCHITOCHES – March is National Social Work Month and Northwestern State University’s Department of Social Work is seizing the opportunity to build public support for social work professionals in the community. Social workers elevate individuals and communities by connecting them to resources and support, advocate for and protect vulnerable populations and drive systemic and community-level change. This year’s Social Work Month theme is “Uplift, Defend, Transform.”
The Department of Social Work faculty and staff will honor all social workers with an appreciation celebration at 11 a.m. Friday, March 27 in the Listach Room at Natchitoches Regional Medical Center. The celebration will include free headshots, box lunches for the first 30 social workers, a self-care table, door prizes and more. The celebration will be followed by a free Ethics CEU Lunch and Learn that will address helping social workers and professional counselors prepare their practices for death, disability or sudden closure while protecting clients and confidentiality.
Social work is one of the fastest-growing professions in the United States. Increasing awareness of mental and substance abuse issues have led to a rise in demand for qualified mental health professionals and evolving challenges in society have created a demand for social workers to address inequalities in communities and organizations.
“Our profession is ever expanding because we are not limited to ‘social work’ jobs,” said Department Head Dr. MaryAnne Candley, PhD, MSW, LMSW. “Two thirds of all mental health counseling that is performed in the U.S. is provided by social workers. Because we’re everywhere, you have most probably interacted with a social worker and not realized it because the job title did not say ‘social work.’”
As the field continues to grow, professionals are using digital tools such as telehealth, online counseling and data analytics to enhance service delivery and improve access to care. There is a growing emphasis on collaboration with other professionals in healthcare, education and law to tackle complex social problems and social workers are playing a more active role in policy change and advocacy to tackle big issues.
But even though technology is increasingly integrated into the profession, faculty in NSU’s Department of Social Work say they were drawn to the field by a desire to help others and enact positive change.
“Social work is incredibly diverse,” said Lisa Mount, MSW, LCSW-BACS. “No two days are the same, and no two social workers do the same work, yet we are all united by a shared commitment to helping people.”
Denise Bailey, MSW, LMSW, was undecided about that career path to pursue, but as an older adult, it was clear that careers she’s had earlier in life — social services director for a nursing home, administrator of an assisted living facility, community relations for a hospital — fit well with the duties of a social worker.
“The idea of helping others through various life situations has always appealed to me,” she said. “I never pursued social work with the intent of teaching, but when the opportunity presented itself, I was very interested. As an alumnus of the NSU BSW program, I have enjoyed being on the ‘giving’ end of the classroom.”
“From an early age, I knew I wanted to be a voice for those who didn’t always have one loud enough to be heard,” said Kirby Peddy, MSW, LCSW‑BACS. “Advocacy came naturally to me. I was the person others trusted, the person they sought out when something felt unfair or when they needed support. Looking back, I think I was a social worker long before I ever knew the term.
“The social work profession has always stood out to me because of its deep commitment to understanding people,” Peddy continued. “At its core, social work is successful because we center everything we do on our clients — their lives, their environments and the strengths they already possess. Instead of focusing on deficits, we focus on possibilities. We meet people where they are and walk alongside them as they navigate the challenges in front of them.”
For information, on NSU’s Department of Social Work visit https://www.nsula.edu/social-work/.
For information on National Social Work month, visit https://www.socialworkers.org/News/Social-Work-Month.
Registration for the March 27 Lunch and Learn is available through the QR code below.
Lunch & Learn QR Code