Happy Social Work Month - Thank a Social Worker!
Happy Social Work Month!
Social workers are a community of professionals, advocates and activists who benefit your life and the lives of those in your community every single day - and you may not even know it.
Social workers are diligent, human-loving, and self-sacrificing, and they work tirelessly to improve the quality of living for individuals, families and communities every day.
Social workers of all kinds have been working to make our world better for over 100 years, and they continue to do hard work behind the scenes. It’s time to highlight their efforts and thank a social worker today!
What Do Social Workers Do?
Social workers are everywhere. They work in the medical and public health fields, in your local library and schools. They are school counselors, and family advocates. They advocate for social justice, for criminal justice. They support the aging, those with disabilities, and those navigating the foster care system.
This list is small, but the jobs are endless. In fact, you benefit today from the work of social workers throughout history. Our 40-hour work weeks, social security system, Medicare and our minimum wage requirement are all made possible by social workers.
Why Do Social Workers Matter?
Social workers provide over 75% of mental health services in the US alone. They fight for social justice, peace and security of living, and seek to improve the lives of those living in our communities. They seek to empower and advocate for the rights and welfare of others.
Social workers, like our therapists here at Rock Creek Counseling, use a “person in environment” perspective. In supporting the quality of life of an individual, we look at how a person is doing internally as well as externally.
We believe our environment impacts and influences our quality of living, for better or for worse. Social workers are passionate helpers who believe in people’s ability to make positive change in their own lives and in the world.
Simply put, social workers help individuals thrive and become the people they crave to become.
How to Express Your Gratitude to Social Workers in Your Community
In short, social workers benefit our communities in hundreds of tangible and unseen ways every day. The job of a social worker can be thankless (at times) and emotionally draining. Their job requires difficult conversations, emotionally tough decisions, and holding space for those navigating seasons of heart-break, struggle and loss.
Social workers work and live in a draining and consuming, but ever-rewarding career. Their heart never takes a day off, even if their mind and spirit crave one deeply.
March Social Work Month - if you can and are able, here are several ways you can reach out to local social workers this month, thank them, and share your gratitude for the ways they support and shape your community!
A simple thank you can go a long way and recharge the emotional batteries of a social worker in your community!
Say a Simple Thank You
Share a Positive Quote or Encouraging Message
‘Thank You’ Cards
Write a Kind and Encouraging Letter
Send in a Letter to the Editor to Your Local Newspaper
Make an Encouraging Phone Call
Send a Simple ‘Thank You’ Email
Whatever you do, know that a simple gesture is all the thanks in the world. Your one act of kindness and gratitude says, ‘I see you, and I thank you.’ This small message offers and holds infinite space for a social worker - more than you could know. How will you thank a social worker today?