Victor R. Armstrong Sr., MSW, to Receive NASW National Social Worker of the Year Award

WASHINGTON, D.C. —NASW Member and well-known suicide prevention advocate Victor R. Amstrong, Sr., MSW, has been selected as the 2025 National Social Worker of the Year by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW).

A member of NASW for 26 years, Armstrong is recognized for his leadership in public mental health, suicide prevention, and health equity.

Vice President for Health Equity and Engagement with the American Foundation for Suicide prevention, Armstrong was the first Chief Health Equity Officer for the North Carolina Department of Health & Human services. He has more than 30 years of experience in human services, primarily dedicated to building and strengthening community resources to assist those who are marginalized.

He currently serves on the steering committee of the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention, as well as the 988 National Advisory Committee. He is also on the Board of Directors for College for Behavioral Health Leadership, Recovery Innovations International, and i2i Center for Integrative Health. He is a member of the NC Institute of Medicine and is the host of the “Strong Talk” podcast.

In March 2020, just as the pandemic began, Armstrong was named the director of the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services at the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS). He was charged with overseeing the state’s public mental health, substance-use systems, and traumatic brain injury system in North Carolina. He also brought attention to how the pandemic amplified racial disparities in behavioral health care.

In 2021, Armstrong was appointed as NCDHHS’s first Deputy Secretary of Health Equity and Chief Health Equity Officer. He promoted the state’s health equity strategy, diversity, and inclusion across all of NC DHHS. His work focused on embedding equity and inclusion into all aspects of the department’s programs and internal culture.

Armstrong’s professional work has consistently intersected with his passion for suicide prevention. A nationally recognized speaker on suicide prevention, you can regularly find him discussing it on the social media site X (his handle there is @1of2vics). His efforts are grounded in personal experience and include national board service with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). In 2023, he was named AFSP’s first Vice President for Health Equity and Engagement. In this national role, he works across departments to guide strategies that address disparities in mental health and suicide prevention efforts.

A social justice advocate, he has spoken at events nationwide on topics including suicide in marginalized communities, implicit bias in behavioral health, and the role of faith communities in mental wellness. He has appeared before Congress, contributed to policy development, and been featured in national media outlets, including The New York Times, PBS, and other publications.

Armstrong is also very active in the professional social work community. He was the keynote speaker at NASW North Carolina’s 2021 Advocacy Week and has contributed to conferences and workshops focused on stigma, access to care, and health disparities. He was named NASW North Carolina’s Social Worker of the Year in 2022.

He holds an MSW in Social Work from East Carolina University and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a bachelor’s degree in business administration from North Carolina Central University. He previously held leadership positions in state government, hospital systems, and national nonprofits. Throughout his career, Armstrong has maintained a focus on expanding access to mental health care and improving outcomes for underserved populations.

NASW is proud to honor Victor R. Armstrong, Sr., MSW, for his ongoing commitment to the values and mission of the social work profession.

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The National Association of Social Workers (NASW), in Washington, DC, is the largest membership organization of professional social workers. It promotes, develops, and protects the practice of social work and social workers. NASW also seeks to enhance the well-being of individuals, families, and communities through its advocacy.

The National Association of Social Workers Foundation (NASWF) is a charitable organization created to enhance the well-being of individuals, families, and communities through the advancement of social work practice.