Social Work Student Kelly Williams Receives Jane B. Aron Doctoral Fellowship

NASW Foundation presents award to University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill student

Washington—The National Association of Social Workers Foundation is pleased to announce that Kelly Williams is the recipient of the Jane B. Aron Doctoral Fellowship for 2008-2009.  This Fellowship Program provides partial support to doctoral students who are engaged in dissertation research in health care policy and practice.

Ms. Williams will compare the health and mental health outcomes of sexual minority youth and heterosexual youth. Preliminary research to date provides evidence that sexual minority youth experience poor health and mental health outcomes with issues such as victimization, use of illicit substances, participation in sexual risk behaviors, and have symptoms of depression and suicide at much higher rates than their heterosexual peers. Ms. William’s research suggests that sexual minority youth appear to have a greater need for health and mental health services, but don’t often seek out these services.

This research is particularly important because it strives to bring awareness to a growing social issue that is often ignored.  By understanding the complexities related to sexual minority youth, specifically the barriers to seeking service and the increased need for service among this population, health policy and outreach to these adolescents can be adjusted accordingly. 

For more information about the NASW Foundation or the Jane B. Aron Doctoral Fellowship, please visit www.naswfoundation.org or e-mail foundation@naswdc.org.

About the National Association of Social Workers
NASW is the largest association of social workers in the world, with nearly 150,000 members in 56 chapters throughout the United States and abroad. It promotes, develops, and protects the practice of social work and social workers.  NASW also seeks to enhance the well-being of individuals, families, and communities through its advocacy.