Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: What Social Work Practitioners Need to Know about this Silent Epidemic

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), also known as concussion, is a major public health concern. A decade of research on mTBI leaves little question that social work's most vulnerable populations are also likely to be survivors of a mild brain injury, many undiagnosed. Diagnosis and reporting of mild brain injury is confounded not only by the fact that it is undetectable by current technology, but also because of powerful sociocultural norms in sports and the military that support nondisclosure. Without proper diagnosis and treatment of these injuries, our clients - and potentially our practices - are at significant risk. The call to action is clear. We must 1) educate social workers about this injury, 2) include screening questions on intake and assessment forms, 3) refer clients for evaluation and treatment, 4) collect and disseminate data on the prevalence of head injury in our populations, and 5) join with brain injury advocates to raise awareness and demand a coordinated, national response to this silent epidemic.