Jennifer Hawkins
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 04, 2026) — Recognizing when someone needs mental health support is an important skill for social workers. Recognizing when they are in need that same support themselves can be just as important.
University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW) student Jennifer Hawkins is helping future social workers build both skills through an interactive mental health literacy seminar developed as part of her Doctor of Social Work (DSW) capstone project.
Designed for undergraduate social work students, the 60-minute seminar provides practical, evidence-informed strategies for recognizing common mental health concerns, navigating available resources and building confidence in seeking help for themselves and others.
The initiative also addresses mental health stigma, self-care and the importance of early intervention, connecting students with campus and community resources, including the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
For Hawkins, the project extends beyond raising awareness. It encourages students preparing for careers in helping professions to consider their own well-being alongside their responsibility to care for others.
Through interactive discussions and practical examples, students explore how mental health literacy can strengthen their personal lives, academic experiences and future professional practice. The seminar also emphasizes sustainable self-care habits as students prepare to navigate the emotional demands of social work.
To bring the project directly to UK students, Hawkins traveled to Kentucky to facilitate the training for both in-person and online participants. She also partnered with UK’s TRACS (Triage, Referral, Assistance and Crisis Support) program to provide additional resources and participation giveaways.
Hawkins’ work reflects the innovative, practice-focused approach of UK’s DSW program, which challenges doctoral students to translate research into meaningful solutions for individuals, organizations and communities. Each year, students share their capstone research during the college’s Virtual Showcase of DSW Scholars, a multi-day online event that connects emerging scholarship with practicing professionals and offers opportunities to earn free continuing education credits.
By bringing mental health education directly into the classroom, Hawkins is demonstrating how doctoral research can extend beyond academic scholarship to equip future social workers with the knowledge, resources and confidence to better care for themselves and others.