Long before she enrolled, Stacy Brief ’20, MSW ’21, dreamed of attending Adelphi University because of its highly regarded social work program, robust extracurricular activities and unique community, which offered her a place to grow personally and academically.
Member of Adelphi University’s 10 Under 10
School of Social Work
The Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide and Right Path Counseling
As a student in the School of Social Work, Brief was fortunate to have three incredible mentors. Beth Forhman, DSW ’98, senior adjunct faculty member who teaches trauma interventions, significantly influenced her clinical career; Todd Vanidestine, PhD, guided her through community organization work, providing support beyond the classroom; and Associate Professor Rani Varghese, EdD’s Intergroup Dialogue course was a standout for her that she recommends to all social work students.
Brief’s professional journey began at the age of 16, when she volunteered with The Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide. Her involvement grew from small fundraising efforts to organizing the Nassau County Youth Wellness Summit during her undergraduate years at Adelphi. This annual event has grown significantly and focuses on suicide prevention, empowerment and mental health.
After graduating with both her undergraduate and graduate degrees during the COVID-19 pandemic, Brief entered the clinical field of social work at North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center. There, she worked in the Triage and Emergency Services outpatient program, supporting teens with high-risk mental illnesses. However, her passion for prevention work led her to further her efforts with The Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide, where she developed new programs like the Youth Wellness Council, designed to build resilience and raise awareness about suicide prevention among high school students.
“I believe in teaching our young generation to take care of themselves and connect with one another,” Brief said.
One of Brief’s most rewarding accomplishments involves a student from the Youth Wellness Council who initially struggled with depression. He learned to recognize the warning signs of mental illness in a friend and intervened, ultimately saving the friend’s life. Now, he wants to help others as a volunteer with Samaritan Hospital 24/7 suicide hotline.
“It is incredibly rewarding, and I feel so proud of this resilient and brave student who has turned his personal struggle into motivation to support others,” Brief said.
Reflecting on her time at Adelphi, Brief acknowledged the impact the University made on her life. “Adelphi changed my life because it raised me into the social worker I’d dreamt of being,” she said. The mentorship, relationships and education she received were instrumental in achieving her professional goals.
For current students, Brief advised, “Sit in the front of the class, go to office hours and keep in contact with professors who inspire you.” To new graduates, she emphasized the importance of taking chances and learning from experiences: “Failure is not the inability to succeed; it is the inability to try.”