NASW’s Website has expanded its social work blogs, giving members and non-members alike an opportunity to post their comments on a variety of issues related to the social work profession.

The site, Social Work Blog, allows visitors the opportunity to share comments from time to time related to different issues, said Brandon Maddox, manager of Web services at NASW. “Any and all feedback is welcome, whether you’re a social worker, a social work student, social work supporter, or your life has been affected by social work,” he said.

“This is part of our goal to encourage discussion and provide an avenue for social workers and those who support social work to network, share ideas and socialize,” Maddox said.

There are currently blogs set up in four areas of interest: NASW Press Room; NASW Specialty Practice Sections; Help Starts Here; and NASW Advocacy. A link to each blog can found at the site.

Deborah Patterson, senior practice associate at NASW, said she and the NASW marketing team developed topic ideas for the Specialty Practice Sections blog and have invited social workers to submit their personal stories for discussion. “We thought a blog would be one way to inspire more interaction and engage people to network,” Patterson said. “This is also a way we can find out what social workers think about certain areas and what’s important to them.”

In the Help Starts Here blog, recent topics included “Top Reasons Why Some Long-Term Marriages End in Divorce” and “Spinal Cord Injury.”

Some recent topics in the Specialty Practice Sections blog were, “Is Hoarding a Big Deal?” and “Social Work Interventions Help Soldiers Survive Trauma.” The latter entry was written by Lynn Hagan, a licensed clinical social worker who worked in Kuwait during the initial phase of the Iraq war.

In the entry, she shares her experiences about counseling soldiers, diplomats and contractors who faced the front lines.