Michelle Scott, Ph.D., professor in the Monmouth University School of Social Work and director of the SRF Suicide Prevention Research and Training Project, will lead the newly established National Standard of Care for Suicide for Social Workers task force for the National Association of Social Workers (NASW).
Scott, who serves as task force co-chair, is spearheading the creation of the first national standard of care for suicide in the social work profession. She is joined by co-chair Maureen Underwood, LCSW, a clinical affiliate faculty member, and Stephanie Asare Nti, LCSW-C, a Monmouth University social work doctoral student and task force member.
“We are humbled and honored to take up this charge on behalf of individuals and families who deserve the best clinical care when they are struggling with thoughts of suicide. We are looking forward to enhancing social work leadership in this critical area of need,” Scott and Underwood said.
Scott first recognized the need for formalized standards when she was asked to serve as an expert witness for a trial. Recognizing the case aligned more closely with Underwood’s area of expertise, Scott recommended her instead.
This decision sparked discussions with NASW President Yvonne Chase, Ph.D., about the lack of national guidelines in social work, ultimately leading to the formation of the task force. As co-chairs, Scott and Underwood are now driving efforts to establish these critical standards and advocate for their adoption across the profession.
In addition to setting national standards, Scott and Underwood are working toward incorporating suicide prevention training into social work education and state licensure requirements.
Scott and Underwood will present updates on the task force’s progress at the 2025 NASW National Conference in June.