Las Vegas, N.M. – Albuquerque, New Mexico Mayor Richard J. Berry proclaimed March National Social Work Month.
“This proclamation shows a local commitment to the social work profession and social work education,” said Cristina Durán, dean of the Highlands University Facundo Valdez School of School Work. “Having the Albuquerque Mayor’s Office come to our school created an opportunity for our students to learn about careers for social workers in public service and local government.”
Some of the highlights of Berry’s proclamation include:
- Social workers are the largest group of mental health providers in New Mexico, working daily to help people overcome substance abuse disorders and mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety.
- The primary purpose of the social work profession is to enhance the well-being and help meet the basic needs of all people, especially the most vulnerable in society.
- Social Workers work in all areas of our society to improve happiness, health and prosperity including government, schools, universities, social service agencies, communities, the military, and mental health and health care facilities.
- We call upon all citizens to join with the National Association of Social Workers and the New Mexico Highlands University Facundo Valdez School of Social Work in celebration and support of the social work profession.
Duran said she greatly appreciated how Alan Armijo, constituent services director in the Albuquerque Mayor’s Office, was on hand to present the proclamation and answer Highlands University social work students’ questions.
Highlands offers Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work degrees at its main campus in Las Vegas and centers in Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Santa Fe and Farmington, as well as its Roswell site.
For more information, visit the Highlands Facundo Valdez School of Social Work at www.nmhu.edu/socialwork
The Highlands University Facundo Valdez School of Social Work is one of the oldest in the Southwest. The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited the school in 1974 and it is accredited through 2020.