MOBILE – Receiving the diagnosis of an illness can be a confusing time for anyone.  Will I be able to handle the treatment?  How will I balance my care with the needs of my family?  How will this affect my job?  Who will help me figure all this out?  The University of South Alabama, along with the National Association of Social Workers, recognizes March as National Social Work Month.

The theme, “Hope and Health: Help Starts Here,” highlights the important role of health care social workers in the wellbeing of their clients.  More than simply treating a client, health care social workers take a holistic, psychosocial approach to working with a client in providing the best overall care.

More than 110,000 health care social workers across the country act as the advocate for a client’s needs and guide them in making decisions about their physical and emotional care.  Social workers also work with families to understand and help the client through counseling or support groups.

“Social workers play a key role in the quality of care for clients in Mobile’s hospitals and clinics,” said Sharrie Cranford, social worker at USA Medical Center. “Social workers see a client through the entire trajectory of their illness, from diagnosis to treatment to recovery and beyond.”

Social Work Month also provides an opportunity for social workers to highlight the essential role they play in alleviating some of America’s most difficult problems. Through education, training and dedication, social workers provide assistance in many different practice areas including aging, mental health, child welfare, cancer, end of life, adolescent health, HIV/AIDS and family violence.

“Social Workers have the unique ability to look at a person’s situation from a broad perspective,” said Cranford. “We understand that the best health care requires a broad view of social, environmental, psychological, and economic options.”

For more information on how USA is supporting National Social Work Month, please contact Sharrie Cranford at (251) 471-7003 or by e-mail at scranford@usouthal.edu.  Visit www.helpstartshere.org for more details on National Social Work Month.