CTSI sponsors workshop on mental health

“Explorations in Mental Health: Research Perspectives” is the topic of the second workshop in the Community-University Collaborations in Research core competency series hosted by UB’s Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI).

The free workshop, set for 3-5 p.m. Oct. 10 in the Active Learning Room, 1220 Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, is presented by the CTSI’s Workforce Development and Community Engagement cores.

Visit CTSI’s website to register.

Mental health issues previously thought to affect just a small percentage of the world’s population have now become the leading cause of disability. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, one out of five adults in the U.S. experiences a mental health concern. This statistic, combined with the current sociopolitical climate, underscores the importance of breaking the stigma surrounding mental health.

The workshop, which will feature a diverse, community-friendly panel, aims to create an inclusive atmosphere to encourage an open discussion about available local resources and perhaps help in formulating new partnerships between research and local mental health clinics to improve quality of care and spur ideas about future interventions.

The goal of the Community-University Collaborations in Research workshop series is to bring together community and university partners to discuss the importance of research collaborations, specifically those aimed at creating culturally responsive research and addressing health disparities.

“Research provides evidence that can be used to advance changes in health care,” says Laurene Tumiel-Berhalter, director of community translational research in UB’s Department of Family Medicine and director of community engagement for the CTSI. “In order to make sure that everyone benefits from those advances, we need to create an inclusive culture around research,” she says. “This workshop series is an excellent opportunity for the university and community to engage in dialogue and discuss ways to further collaborate, especially around these particular communities.”

Organizers hope the series establishes a dialogue between community and university partners, thus helping to identify issues experienced by traditionally underrepresented communities that may be addressed by community-engaged, collaborative research. Fortifying research partnerships with community leaders who are engaged with disparities-impacted communities may lead to improved grass-roots implementation of innovative solutions impacting community health, they say.

“Engaging university and community partner teams around topics of mutual interest will bring together all players contributing to significant advances in health care and resolving health disparities,” adds Margarita Dubocovich, SUNY Distinguished Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology; senior associate dean for diversity and inclusion in the Jacobs School; and director of the CTSI Workforce Development core.

The first workshop in the series took place last month and focused on research involving the refugee, immigrant and Latino communities. The final workshop, centered on research involving the LGBTQ community, will be held from 3-5 p.m.  Nov. 7 in Doretz Auditorium, 2220AB in the Jacobs School.

LGBTQ individuals suffer from a number of disparities associated with social stigma, homophobia and discrimination on multiple fronts, especially in health care. Workshop attendees will take a closer look at different ways to foster a more inclusive atmosphere at UB that extends to both academics and research, eventually translating into inclusive health care.

For more information, contact scholar1@buffalo.edu or 716-829-6268.