Social work is a
professional and
academic discipline that seeks to improve the
quality of life and enhance
wellbeing of individuals, families, couples, groups, and communities through research, policy planning, community development, direct practice,
crisis intervention, ensuring social welfare and security for those affected by social disadvantages such as
poverty, psychosocial care to mentally and physically disabled, and raising voices against
social injustice for social reforms, including social actions against violations of
civil liberties and
human rights. It is a progressive profession where one can be actively engaged in helping others to help themselves. It is a profession that deals with various problems and issues systematically and scientifically. The profession is dedicated to the pursuit of
social justice and the well-being of
oppressed and
marginalized individuals and communities, a collective action for combating
racism, sexism, classism,
heterosexism,
ageism, adultism, mentalism,
ableism...etc. Social work is a broad profession that encompasses its activities in fields like Health and Mental Health, Social Service Administration, Children and their Families, Social Work Policy Analysis, Social Justice and Diversity, Forensic and Traumatology, Gerontology, etc.