Stephanie Farrell, MSW, LISW-S, is a doctoral candidate in Social Work at the University of Kentucky. She serves as a Clinical Social Worker in her private practice at Havenwood Behavioral Health, specializing in trauma-informed care for veterans and providing comprehensive mental health services to individuals and families. Stephanie is certified in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and trained in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy, Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy, and Internal Family Systems. She holds a certification as a clinical trauma professional. Stephanie holds a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Akron and a Bachelor of Social Work from Malone University. Her research interests focus on heightened vulnerability to suicide and mental health challenges during the critical adjustment period of veterans in their first-year post-discharge. Stephanie is committed to bridging the gap in her capstone project, "Integrative Battle-Buddy Systems: A Comprehensive Approach to Reducing Suicide Among Military Veterans," which explores strategies for integrating peer support and empowering families and close supporters with tailored resources and training for veterans' unique mental health needs. Stephanie is a proud retired veteran of the United States Army, where she served and deployed overseas and earned several awards, including the Meritorious Service Medal. Stephanie is an active member of the National Association of Social Workers.
DSW Showcase Student Presentation
Stephanie Farrell
MSW, LISW-S
Integrative Battle Buddy Systems: Reducing Suicide Among Military Veterans
Concentration - Clinical Social Work
- Wednesday, April 30, 2025 -
- 2:30 pm
Abstract
Integrating battle buddy systems focuses on the critical issue of increased suicide risk among veterans during their first year after military discharge, targeting the unique challenges of reintegration and readjustment back into civilian life. The battle-buddy system prioritizes developing existing systems and strengthening strategies to reduce suicide rates by identifying barriers faced by veterans and evaluating the role of veterans’ peer support in building emotional support. Ecological systems theory and systems of care emphasize the interrelated roles of clinical social work, case management, and peer support during the first year to reduce isolation and promote connections between veterans and their close support systems. The presentation will explore how to understand the challenges of military transition from civilian to military and back to civilian, identify peer support services for veterans’ reintegration into society, and develop social work strategies to influence practice and policy. Prioritizing collaborative systems of care will influence practice in promoting innovative strategies to reduce veteran suicide risk during this critical transition period.