Bridging the Gap: Professor Lynell W. Cooper Highlights Workforce Readiness at Indiana Mental Health Roundtable Summit

Written by Troi Watts

The 2024 Indiana Mental Health Roundtable Summit brought experts and stakeholders from across the state together to discuss the multifaceted impact of mental health. Amongst these experts was Professor Lynell Westbrook Cooper, MSW, LCSW, from the Phylis Lan Lin School of Social Work and Counseling at the University of Indianapolis.

During the Summit, Professor Cooper served as a panelist during a breakout session dedicated to providing an update on early workforce initiatives across the state to help engage students in K-12 education and early college. Professor Cooper emphasized the importance of understanding and addressing the unique needs of students as they prepare to enter the workforce. She highlighted several strategies for how employers can actively support these emerging professionals, ensuring they are equipped not only with the necessary skills but also with the resilience required to thrive in challenging environments.

“The partnership between universities and employers is essential for facilitating a seamless transition from the classroom to the career, particularly for emerging professionals in the field of social work and behavioral sciences,” said Professor Cooper. “The summit underscored the shared goal of setting students up for success—a commitment deeply ingrained in the mission of the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences. By increasing awareness and fostering dialogue between academic institutions and industry leaders, we can better prepare our students for the demands of their future roles.”