DSW Showcase Student Presentation

Toi Singleton

MSW, LCSWA, DSW Candidate

Social Work Education Bridging Gaps in Veteran Mental Health Care

Concentration - Social Work Education

Abstract

Veterans encounter serious mental health issues after they leave the military and re-enter the civilian world. Working with this population can put social workers at a disadvantage because the generalist social work curriculum lacks the specific training required for veterans’ needs. In addition to highlighting the significance of including specialized training in trauma-informed care and military culture, this presentation looks at the gaps in social work education surrounding veterans’ mental health. Through a review of the literature, important obstacles that veterans face when trying to receive mental health treatment are identified, as well as the consequences these obstacles have on successful treatment outcomes. In order to ensure that social workers are prepared to handle the complexities of veterans’ mental health needs, the proposed hybrid educational model promotes curriculum changes that prioritize experiential learning opportunities and collaboration with veteran organizations. The ultimate goal of implementing this hybrid model is to develop a more knowledgeable and responsive social work workforce, which will improve veterans’ mental health outcomes and increase the efficacy of social work practice as a whole.

Biography

Toi Singleton, MSW, LCSW-A, is a Doctoral Candidate in Social Work at the University of Kentucky, with an expected completion date of May 2025. She holds a Master of Social Work from North Carolina Central University, earned in May 2023, and a Bachelor of Psychology from Old Dominion University, completed in December 2020.

Currently, Singleton serves as a Primary Care Social Worker at the South Charlotte VA Healthcare Center in North Carolina, where she facilitates community placements for veterans and collaborates with interdisciplinary treatment teams to address a wide range of needs, including crisis intervention and case management. Her work empowers veterans and their families by guiding them through complex social service systems to achieve improved health outcomes. Before pursuing her career in social work, Singleton served in the United States Navy as an Aviation Boatswain's Mate Handler/PO2, where she developed essential leadership skills and demonstrated a commitment to the well-being of her peers.

Singleton's research interests center on military culture and mental health services for veterans. Her Capstone Project investigates the effects of a generalist approach in social work education on the ability to deliver effective mental health services to veteran populations. Driven by her desire to make a meaningful impact, she is dedicated to advocating for the unique needs of military service members and veterans.