Mental health concerns and experiences of domestic violence often overlap in complex and misunderstood ways. For healthcare providers, community health workers, and social service professionals, recognizing these intersections is critical to providing effective, trauma-informed support. This webinar will explore how domestic violence and coercive control can impact an individual's mental, emotional, and physical health, including common ways these experiences may present in healthcare and community settings. Participants will learn how to identify warning signs, ask meaningful questions, and assess situations more thoroughly to connect individuals with appropriate resources and support. Through real-world case examples, attendees will gain insight into successful mental health warm handoffs, referral strategies, and approaches to navigating challenging conversations. The session will also examine the long-term health consequences of abuse, review evidence-based treatment modalities, and provide practical guidance for navigating Delaware's mental health and domestic violence resource systems.

In addition, the webinar will address the importance of self-care, self-advocacy, and resilience for both clients and professionals working in these challenging spaces. This webinar is designed for healthcare providers, community health workers, social service professionals, behavioral health practitioners, and others seeking to strengthen their ability to support individuals impacted by domestic violence and mental health challenges.

A webinar for community members is scheduled for 7/28/24 from 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Presenters:

Mariann Kenville-Moore is a licensed social worker with decades of experience across public and nonprofit sectors. Originally from South Jersey, she made Delaware her home after graduating from the University of Delaware with a BA in sociology. She later earned a Master of Social Work from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. Her leadership roles with the Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the Department of Justice, and the Division of Family Services strengthened her expertise in crisis response and intervention, as well as her ability to shape laws, policies, and programs to advance equity and social justice. Mariann strives to meet individuals where they are, working collaboratively to identify needs, navigate challenges, and promote well-being. Her focus on family violence has provided deep insight into the lasting impact of trauma and the importance of trauma-informed care. Her work with individuals living with mental illness motivates her to dismantle stigma and build a Delaware where recovery is supported, and connection is valued. Mariann is committed to fostering change that leads to healthier communities across Delaware. She lives in Wilmington with her husband, Tom, and their sons.

Esther Hofknecht, MSM-HCA has worked in healthcare as an advocate, marketer, and fundraiser for nearly 20 years. She has worked with people with disabilities, brain injuries, mental illness, and substance use disorders. Esther found her niche with mental health and substance use disorders when she joined SUN Behavioral in 2019. In 2024, she joined the Mental Health Association in Delaware as a Development Manager focusing on Growth & Education. She works to promote MHA’s four annual educational conferences and raise funds to continue to make those events accessible to the community. Esther’s work at MHA allows her to live her purpose as an advocate for inclusive employment and champion of patient-centered healthcare. She has struggled with depression and anxiety since 2001. She is a survivor of domestic violence and intimate partner violence. She is a member of the neurodivergent community, having been diagnosed with both ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder in her mid-40s. Esther is a graduate of Wilmington University (Master of Science in Management-Health Care Administration) and received her Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership (BSOL) from Thomas Edison State University. Esther is also a proud graduate of the Academy for Women and Leadership with the Johns Hopkins Carey School of Business. Most recently, Esther joined the University of Delaware’s Center for Disabilities Studies as a 2025-26 cohort member of their Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) program. Esther is also a mixed media artist and arts instructor certified to teach the Lifetime Arts Creative Aging Arts Education Model with the Delaware Division of Arts. She recently completed the Trauma-Informed Teaching Practitioner of Art (TIPTA) certificate with the Bartol Foundation and is now a Trauma-Informed Teaching Artist. She is part of a team of teaching artists conducting Delaware’s first CreatiVeterans program and has built curriculum and taught gelli plate printing classes in 2025 and 2026. Esther is a resident of Dover and has lived in Delaware for 22 years.

Live/Virtual - Looking at the Whole Picture: Domestic Violence, Mental Health, and Pathways to Help as a live/virtual event on July 21, 2026 has been approved by the CE Approval Collaborative Review Committee for up to 1.5 Category I CEUs in for course # DE20260721 Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence is approved for this continuing education event by the NASW-DE Continuing Education Approval Collaborative. CE Approval Collaborative Approval Period: June 11, 2026, through January 31, 2027. Delaware social workers will receive up to 1.5 CE credits for participating in this course.