Social Work Leadership and Advocacy: The Moral Imperative

Social work is only one of many venerable helping professions. Our colleagues in the professions of psychology, psychiatry, mental health counseling, marriage and family therapy, and psychiatric nursing share social work\u27s commitment to assisting people who have difficulty navigating and coping with life\u27s challenges. But what is truly unique to social work is the profession\u27s enduring commitment to developing leaders who promote social change and social justice. From day one, social workers are taught to understand and address the complex intersection between individuals\u27 private troubles and the public issues that surround them. Social workers understand that a client\u27s protracted clinical depression may be affected by draconian housing policies that have left him homeless. Social workers understand that a client\u27s substance use may be a consequence of antiquated domestic violence laws that have exposed her to relentless risk. Social workers understand that a client\u27s disabling anxiety symptoms may stem from her job loss resulting from a weak economy. In short, social workers understand that they must explore and address the structural and environmental challenges that cause trauma in people\u27s lives