Governor Proclaims Social Work Month 2022

WHEREAS, for decades, the Social Work Profession has been dedicated to improving human well-being
and enhancing the basic needs of all people—especially the most vulnerable during the global pandemic; and

 

WHEREAS, this year’s Social Work Month theme, “The Time is Right for Social Work” embodies how social workers rose to meet the most pressing challenges of all our lifetimes, the COVID-19 pandemic, even as our nation continues to grapple with systemic racism, economic inequality, global warming, and other crises; and

 

WHEREAS, Social Workers are the largest group of mental health care providers in the United States, and work daily to help people overcome substance use disorders and mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety; and

 

WHEREAS, Social Workers have always helped people overcome issues such as death and grief as well as communities recover from increasing natural disasters such as fires, hurricanes and earthquakes brought on by climate change; and

 

WHEREAS, Social Workers have helped this nation live up to its values by successfully advocating for equal rights for all, including diverse communities, those who are LBGTQA, religious groups and others; and

 

WHEREAS, the Social Work Profession is one of the fastest growing careers in the United States, with more than 715,000 social workers today and nearly 800,000 professionals expected to be employed as social workers by 2028; and

 

WHEREAS, Social Workers have continued to push for changes that have made our society a better place to live, including a livable wage, improved workplace safety, and social safety net programs that help ameliorate poverty, hunger, and homelessness; and

 

WHEREAS, Social Workers possess the necessary expertise to assist our nation in some of its most demanding concerns, including their health and well-being not only during the pandemic, but at all times, ensuring equal rights, improved health care and mental health care for all; and immigration reform; and

 

WHEREAS, Social Workers work in all facets of our society to meet people no matter their circumstance and empower them to live to their fullest potential;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY COOPER, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim March 2022, as “SOCIAL WORK MONTH” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.