The Minister of Health has called for more men to join the ranks of social workers at a fair dedicated to educating the Island about the profession.

Nelson Bascome said men who need help may find it difficult to speak to a counsellor who is female, but with a field predominately filled with women it may be inevitable.

Speaking at the Bermuda National Association of Social Workers (BNASW) fair yesterday, Mr. Bascome congratulated those already in the profession and said he hoped it could expand by recruiting more men.

He said: "It's not only a close to my heart it's also an area I worked in for years. We as social workers have a number of jobs to do.

"We are on the front lines. I not only want to take my hat off to say thank you to those who work 365 days a year.

"I am going to encourage the men to join the ranks. This is a field that's dominated by women and I'm not saying you are not doing a good job, but I am encouraging men to get involved."

Not only does the organisation hope to involve more Bermudians, but the President of the BNASW, Judith Brooks, said she hopes dedicating March to awareness will help dispel myths in the community.

Ms. Brooks, who has been president since October, said: "I think that the reason social work needs to be highlighted is because the country is challenged with increasing problems.

"We think it's important to help the country to understand what we do as a practice and as an organisational body."

One of the myths, she said, was that social workers are not trained nor are they educated before they are given positions in organisations.

Instead, to be an assistant social worker a person must have at least a bachelor's degree in a related field and in order to be a social worker the individual must attain their Masters.

Throughout their education, the BNASW provides mentorship possibilities helping those studying in the field to network and following the degree, the learning continues with conferences and courses.

Yesterday, Minister of Social Rehabilitation, Dale Butler, opened the second annual fair, titled 'Building on Strengths in a Diverse Community', welcoming expert social workers and read the Social Work month proclamation.

He said the community was crying out for their help and hoped families would try to spend more time together in order to help their children.

Mr. Butler said: "As I look around the room and see so many experts we are lucky in this country to have such trained personnel.

"Our young people are crying out for some time from their parents."

In the proclamation he added: "In recognition of professional social workers and their commitment and dedication to individuals, families and communities everywhere though service delivery, research, education and legislative advocacy.

"I, Minister Dale Butler, proclaim the month of March 2008 as Professional Social Work Month and call upon all citizens to join with the Bermuda National Association of Social Workers in celebration and support of social workers and the social work profession."