
Get to know Instructor Joe Leykam
Joe Leykam, LCSW, MSW, AH, believes in the power of relationships, community and family – and the joy of old school punk rock
Director of the new MS in Applied Mental Health, expected fall 2025, Joe Leykam reports to HDFS School Head Marilyn Thompson and supports the School of HDFS with applied expertise in the fields of mental health, social services and education. He’s been in the college for about eight months.
Learn more about Joe, the turning point in his career, his three wishes for the world, his love of “nerd games” and what he thinks is the best part of working in the College of Health.
What’s something your colleagues probably don’t know about you and might be surprised to learn?
I love old school punk rock music, and when I was younger chipped a tooth in a mosh pit.
What’s one of your happiest memories?
The birth of each of my three kids tops the highlight reel of my life, closely followed by the wedding to my partner of 20 years.
What was the turning point in your career?
Starting when I was 17, I volunteered at a telephone crisis center for folks with mental health concerns. It was a powerful opportunity that taught me that I had the skills to work with folks who are in the midst of crises.
If you had three wishes, what would they be?
- That all conflicts worldwide would be resolved peacefully
- For all people, worldwide, to have access to housing and basic needs
- The ability to speak all languages (because that would be awesome!)
Where did you grow up, and what was your family life like?
I grew up in central Michigan. My family was middle class and affected by mental health in multiple ways. This was a complex situation but has taught me innumerable lessons about patience and persistence with others.
Who has had the greatest impact on your life?
Many people have had a deep impact on my life but the chief among them was my grandfather, Bill. A veteran of the Second World War who grew up in the Great Depression, his patience and compassion were formative to my life in deep and personal ways.
Describe a typical day in your life.
I love to get up early and read before the rest of my family is awake. I often then go on a run and cook breakfast for my family. I fill my days with a variety of activities from teaching, research, providing therapy, and working with other professionals to improve their systems. I love to come home and cook at the end of my day.
What led you to your career path and your current position?
I am a survivor of suicide attempts related to my struggles with mental health. My belief and passion for the field of mental health treatment comes from my experience of treatment myself and its transformative effect on my life.
What are some of your interests and/or hobbies?
I love cooking, reading, music, tabletop roleplaying games, and miniature gaming/board gaming. I love all manner of "nerd games!"
How would your friends and acquaintances describe you?
People tend to describe me as someone they enjoy talking to or working with. I try and present an open and accessible face to the world, because I deeply believe that communities are built through strong one-on-one relationships.
My friends also would say that I am someone who "shows up" for people in my community, caring for and feeding each other is a big part of what it means to be in a community.
What are the most important things you’ve learned in life?
Time and time again, I have been taught the lesson that community is the most important part of our lives as humans. Cultivating relationships with each other that are rich with compassion, support and patience promotes people living together in this world.
Even those people we find hardest to connect with are part of our communities and present daily opportunities to make relationships across political, experiential and cultural differences.
What’s the best part about working in the College of Health?
The College of Health is a wonderful community of students, faculty and staff. It is a place where there is a genuine connection and opportunity to make an impact in the broader world outside of academia.