WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 10, 2026) – As March marks National Social Work Month, the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) is highlighting the profession’s contributions as demands increase for housing support, mental health services, crisis intervention, and child welfare assistance. The nation’s largest membership organization of professional social workers announced its theme – “Uplift. Defend. Transform.” – with a continued focus on community needs while advocating for policies that promote equity and opportunity for the industry and those they serve.
“Today’s social workers are meeting urgent needs in their communities that often lie at the intersection of economic hardship, public health challenges, and social inequities. This month, we’re honoring how they work tirelessly to help stabilize families despite obstacles threatening the future of social work, which represents the largest segment of the mental health workforce in the United States,” said NASW’s CEO, Dr. Anthony Estreet. “Social work is a commitment to uplifting people, defending justice, and transforming lives.”
Social work is one of the fastest-growing professions in the U.S., with more than 810,000 social workers nationwide in key placements, including schools, hospitals, community health centers, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and more. The month’s theme underscores how social workers are responding to escalating needs, such as:
- 6.1 million people among the “working poor” (those who have spent at least 27 weeks working or looking for work but have incomes below the national poverty line).
- Massive cuts to social safety nets like Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
- More than 1 in 5 U.S. adults experiencing a mental illness each year.
- an average of one person every 11 minutes who dies by suicide. Suicide was also the second-leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 10 and 34.
- More than 3.5 million referrals made annually to child welfare agencies involving the safety and well-being of children.
- Barriers affecting the future pipeline of social workers, including the U.S. Department of Education’s proposal to remove graduate-level degrees from the “Professional Degree” category under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA).
As part of Social Work Month, NASW will also observe World Social Work Day on Tuesday, March 17, and Social Work Day on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, March 25, in partnership with the Congressional Research Institute for Social Work and Policy (CRISP). NASW urges policymakers at all levels to support social work advocacy efforts and invest in infrastructure that provides critical services for vulnerable populations.
