LEXINGTON, Ky. — For too long, the stories of young people in Appalachia have been flattened—portrayed in broad strokes that overlook the complexity of growing up in one of the nation’s most culturally rich regions with historically limited access to resources. One student scholar at the University of Kentucky’s College of Social Work (CoSW) is working to change that.
Holden Dillman, a doctoral candidate in the CoSW Ph.D. program, community-engaged scholar, and licensed clinical social worker, lives in Eastern Kentucky and provides telehealth psychotherapy to individuals and couples across the state.
Dillman has been awarded the James S. Brown Graduate Student Award for Research from the UK Appalachian Center & Appalachian Studies program, a recognition that honors research aimed at reframing narratives and lifting voices from the community.
Dillman’s research, We Are Here, seeks to better understand how early experiences of of being seen, supported, and valued—or the lack thereof— shape long-term mental health outcomes for youth in Appalachia. The project, supported by the award, blends national survey data with in-depth interviews conducted across rural communities, aiming to uncover both challenges and sources of strength.
“This work is deeply personal,” Dillman said. “Growing up in a small Appalachian town, I often felt invisible. But I also witnessed the quiet forms of connection and resilience that don’t always make it into the headlines. This study is about honoring that complexity.”
At its core, the project challenges the notion that Appalachian communities are defined solely by hardship. Instead, it spotlights protective factors like belonging, place-based identity, cultural affirmation and others that could inform more effective, locally grounded mental health supports.
Dillman’s approach urges social workers and policymakers alike to consider not just clinical interventions, but the broader social and environmental systems in which young people come of age.
“Appalachia is not a monolith,” Dillman noted. “We need research that recognizes the many experiences within the region and moves beyond deficit-based thinking. This study is about expanding the map—both literally and metaphorically—for youth whose voices are too often left out.”
The James S. Brown Award comes with funding to support participant incentives, ensuring that rural youth who share their stories will be compensated for their time and insight. For Dillman, this is not just a matter of ethics, but of fairness.
“I believe research should serve the communities it comes from,” Dillman said. “This award affirms that community-driven work matters.”
As part of the next phase of the project, Dillman is actively recruiting participants across Kentucky and the broader Appalachian region. Those interested in contributing to the study can complete an interest form here: https://uky.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_a5ec2gBWmPc9dMa
