Focusing on public mental health, Rosemary and David Farmer fund a new M.S.W. scholarship
With a career devoted to clinical social work and social work education, it’s no surprise Rosemary Farmer’s philanthropy would focus on helping students follow in her footsteps and pursue internships and employment in the public sector. Along with her husband, they have established the Drs. Rosemary L. and David J. Farmer Public Mental Health Scholarship […]
How she found her research: Josselyn Valenzuela
Josselyn Valenzuela began working on a School of Nursing-based project, the Mindful Moms Study, as a B.S.W. student and has continued after graduating in May 2024 and enrolling in the School of Social Work’s M.S.W. Program. Mindful Moms examines mental health – particularly depression – and well-being during pregnancy for both Spanish- and English-speaking participants. The team […]
Gary Cuddeback leads interdisciplinary team securing $2 million SAMHSA grant
The federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has awarded a five-year, $2 million grant to a Virginia Commonwealth University-led project that will provide a range of services, including drug treatment, employment, housing, case management and peer support, for people with substance use disorders and co-occurring mental illnesses who are involved in the criminal justice system. […]
Collaborating with student researchers, Hyojin Im leads an inclusive approach to reexamining refugee health and mental health
When Hyojin Im, Ph.D., convened a symposium at the Society for Social Work and Research 2024 conference on refugee health and mental health, the goal was to examine critical systems that serve these groups and to emphasize the role of Community-Based Participatory Research. “CBPR is a collaborative ethos that involves direct engagement with refugee communities […]
Cassie DeSena-Jacobs presenting at national conference about course development
Cassie DeSena-Jacobs, D.S.W., LCSW, assistant professor in teaching at the VCU School of Social Work, will be presenting in April at the Social Work Distance Education 2024 Virtual Conference. Developing an Advanced Clinical Class through an Anti-Racist Lens 5-5:45 p.m. ET Wednesday, April 10, 2024What does it really mean to include anti-racist strategies in a class […]
Shenita Williams presenting at national conference about school-based mental health
Shenita Williams, Ph.D., LCSW, director of field education at the VCU School of Social Work, will be making two presentations in March 2024 at the School Social Work Association of America’s national conference in Baltimore. Dr. Williams, who also serves as an assistant professor in teaching, will be presenting the following: School-Based Mental Health: One […]
High-demand, social work-led course puts an anti-racist lens on serious mental illness
The creation – and quick evolution – of a new course on serious mental illness at VCU reflects the high demand for mental health professionals and a professional passion among not only social work students but those from other disciplines around the university. Leveraging the experience and expertise of Cassie DeSena-Jacobs, D.S.W., LCSW, assistant professor […]
Marjorie Stuckle (M.S.W.’73/SW) follows her heart in endowing M.S.W. scholarship
Marjorie A. Stuckle (M.S.W.’73/SW), Ph.D., is a nearly lifelong New Yorker, semi-retired and living in the center of Manhattan. But she left her heart in Richmond – and, more specifically, at Virginia Commonwealth University. Dr. Stuckle, a former clinician, educator and administrator focused on mental health, is giving back to the VCU School of Social […]
Statement on the death of Irvo Otieno
Dear School of Social Work community, As many of us learned Thursday about the death of Irvo Otieno, we experienced an all-too-familiar mix of anguish and trauma. We grieve for the Richmond community who lost a son, a friend, a neighbor; and we grieve for those who are unable to safely receive support for mental […]
Trump’s entry ban on refugees will increase human vulnerability and insecurity, VCU expert says
President Trump's executive order to ban entry of refugees is "cause for serious concerns for the refugee community, especially and immediately those who serve refugee populations ... and refugees who are waiting for family reunification," says social work professor Hyojin Im.