Janelle R. Goodwill

Janelle R. Goodwill serves as a Neubauer Family Assistant Professor at the University of Chicago Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice. She holds affiliations with the Center for Health Administration Studies (CHAS) and the Center for the Study of Race, Politics, and Culture, positioning her at the intersection of mental health research, social work practice, and racial equity initiatives.

Dr. Goodwill earned her undergraduate degree from Michigan State University followed by her MSW, MS in psychology, and PhD in social work and psychology from the University of Michigan. Her academic journey has positioned her as a leading researcher in Black mental health and suicide prevention.

Her research centers on the mental health experiences of Black Americans, with particular emphasis on suicide prevention and mental health promotion. She investigates how protective factors like hope, social support, and meaning in life buffer against adverse mental health outcomes. Additionally, she examines how psychological measurement and scale construction influence the detection of depression and other psychological outcomes within racial groups. Her work consistently focuses on identifying intra- and interpersonal factors that prevent suicide and foster well-being across the lifespan.

Dr. Goodwill founded and directs the Positive Urban Research and Prevention of Suicide Experiences (PURPOSE) Lab, which develops accessible materials and resources to mitigate racial disparities while supporting mental health needs of residents on Chicago's South Side. Her research portfolio demonstrates a consistent focus on Black mental health, suicide prevention, measurement issues, and the impact of sociocultural factors on psychological outcomes.

She currently serves as Principal Investigator for a National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)-funded suicide prevention intervention designed to support Black students in Chicago (2022-2025). Her previous work has been supported by Active Minds and the Ford Foundation, demonstrating sustained external funding for her impactful research.

Dr. Goodwill's scholarly contributions have been widely recognized through media coverage in STAT News, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, PBS NewsHour, and other prominent outlets where she provides expert commentary on rising suicide rates among Black youth and systemic approaches to mental health disparities.