Description

Military Sexual Trauma and its Impact on Female Service Members/Veterans

Upon completion of this conference, participants will be able to:

1. Understand Military Sexual Trauma prevalence and mental health impact.
2. Identify barriers that affect successful reintegration/integration.
3. Understand current treatment options and proposed solutions.

 

Presenter Bio:

Lachelle Watts earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from Limestone College in 2012 and a Master of Social Work with an emphasis on Mental Health from the University of South Carolina in 2017. She is a current Doctoral Candidate at the University of Kentucky with an expected graduation date of May 2026. She is also a military veteran who has served for over 27 years in the South Carolina Army National Guard as an active-duty Soldier.

Her military education includes: Victim Advocate, Applied Suicide Intervention Trainer, Master Resilience Trainer, Master Leader Course, Senior Leader Course, Basic Non-Commissioned Officer Course, and Primary Leadership Course.

Her federal awards include: Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, and Army Service Ribbon.

After retirement, she worked with the Department of Social Services as a statistician and later at the 81st Readiness Division as a Suicide Prevention Program Manager. These roles enabled her to integrate her military background with her clinical expertise, which serves as the foundation for her research agenda. Her primary research interest centers on military mental health care, specifically examining the prevalence of military sexual trauma and its psychosocial effects on female service members and veterans. She is dedicated to advancing understanding in this area, aiming to inform more effective interventions and support services for those who have experienced military sexual trauma.

Delivery Method: Live Interactive Training via Zoom Video Conferencing

Session not eligible for CE credit.

Target Audience: This conference is intended for social workers and students.

 

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in these presentations are those of the individual presenters and do not necessarily reflect the official policies or positions of the University of Kentucky or the College of Social Work. The inclusion of any topics, perspectives, or discussions is intended for academic engagement and does not constitute endorsement by the institution.