AI is rapidly changing how people find mental health support—from commercial tools like ChatGPT and Claude offering counseling-like conversations, to AI-enabled apps that screen for depression and anxiety. When these tools fail, the consequences can be severe: AI may miss warning signs of crisis, give harmful advice, or mishandle sensitive data, often with little recourse […]
Many adults living with serious mental illness such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder rely on a family member to help manage their money. Family members may serve as an official Social Security payee or help informally with bills and benefits. Good money management support can lower the chances of hospitalization, homelessness, and falling prey to […]
An Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) is a civil legal tool that permits courts to temporarily remove firearms from individuals at elevated risk of harming themselves or others. Lethal means restriction has been found to be a useful mechanism to reduce firearm injury and death. In Washington, the judge hearing the ERPO petition makes findings […]
This project will assess the benefits of artificial intelligence (AI)-supported skills practice for clinicians receiving training in Problem Solving Treatment (PST) for depression. Standard clinical training models use multiple one-on-one role-plays, audiotape submission and review by experts, and regular group supervision to train clinicians in the necessary behavioral intervention skills. These traditional training methods are […]
The Brief Intervention for School Clinicians (BRISC) has been the subject of two research studies funded by the Institute for Education Sciences (IES). In the most recent study, 48 high schools in three states (WA, MD, MN) were recruited and assigned to BRISC (n=23) or school-based services as usual (SAU; n=25). Clinicians working in schools […]
In 2023, Washington state was awarded $6 million from the U.S. Department of Education to create a pipeline from Washington state’s five accredited Masters in Social Work training programs to K-12 schools. Called the Workforce for Student Well-being Initiative (WSW), 100 aspiring school social workers will receive conditional scholarships based on their financial need so […]
Empower Through Health (ETH) is a healthcare, research, and education 501c3 organization operating in rural eastern Uganda. ETH runs a health center that provides general medical care for surrounding communities and delivers psychiatric and neurological services across Buyende District (population >400,000). ETH’s research focuses on reducing demand-side barriers to care and partnering with existing community […]
Meaningful partnerships between community and academic/public health co-researchers are needed to address community mental health, wellbeing, and health disparities. Partnerships should center the strengths, needs, and interests of communities on the communities’ terms while building relationships on trust and shared power. UW researchers in partnership with the Community Health Board Coalition (CHBC) have developed an […]
This project will develop training that will include an orientation to having a loved one who is psychiatrically hospitalized and will teach families and caregivers practical communication skills while their loved one is in our care.
