Letter to the Editor: March is Social Work Month

Dear Editor:

March is Social Work Month. Most people probably have no idea that it even exists. Allow me to offer an explanation. Each day, social workers help millions of Americans navigate life’s challenges.

Social workers work in many areas of society—in hospitals, schools, social service agencies, libraries, and schools, to name a few. Driven by empathy, they use their expertise to impact millions in profound ways. Their skills are needed now more than ever.

Social workers are on the frontlines of critical societal struggles. For instance, they push back against racism, inequality, and homelessness. That is why the theme for Social Work Month 2025 is “Social Work: Compassion + Action.” In a world often fraught with political turmoil and societal upheaval, the theme speaks to the core of our profession: the need to transform compassion into tangible action and produce positive, tangible results. It calls on social workers to provide support and engage in advocacy, influence policy, and work toward lasting, systemic solutions.

Social workers play a pivotal role in transforming empathy into effective strategies. From ensuring equitable access to health care to addressing the criminalization of homelessness, social workers are working tirelessly to build a more just society.

Social workers have shaped our society in myriad, positive ways for more than a century. They pushed for Social Security, a minimum wage, a 40-hour work week, Medicare, and equal rights for black, female, and LGBTQIA2S+ people. However, this work is complex, and social workers face numerous challenges that can cause stress, fatigue, and even disillusionment.

Marrying compassion with action can also apply to self-care. Just as we provide unwavering support to others, we must also nurture our own well-being with the same level of care and commitment. Self-care isn’t just a luxury; it’s an essential form of action that ensures we can continue to show up for those who depend on us. By prioritizing our own physical, mental, and emotional well-being, we are honoring ourselves and strengthening our capacity to be present, effective, and compassionate in our work.

Being compassionate to self helps fuel the resilience needed to take meaningful action for others. We need to empower social workers to continue doing this vital work. This means supporting policies that enhance workplace conditions, such as raising reimbursement rates for clinical social workers under Medicare, providing student loan forgiveness, and supporting workplace safety. It also means continuing to advocate for the Interstate Licensing Compact, which would allow social workers to practice across state lines, expanding access to care in underserved areas.

I ask for your support in recognizing the importance of social workers, not only during Social Work Month but year-round. I ask the social service agencies in Graham County to commit to making sure social workers in Graham County have the resources they need to transform compassion into action and make a real difference in the lives of those we serve while maintaining a work-life balance that empowers them so they can do the positive work they do.

I applaud Eastern Arizona College for its steps in growing our local social workers to serve right here in Graham County. I encourage social work students to continue their education at the bachelor’s and master’s levels. I appreciate the various local agencies that hire accredited and licensed social workers to serve their clients and recognize the value of social work education and licensure in professional performance and ethical practice.