Department News | May 29, 2025
Congratulations to Ray Hsiao, MD who was named 2025-2026 speaker-elect of the American Psychiatric Association (APA) Assembly during the Annual Meeting of the APA in Los Angeles, CA.
News & Stories
Recruiting two new endowed positions
Department News | May 29, 2025
We are now happy to begin recruiting for two new endowed positions supported by generous philanthropic support, one with a focus on addiction psychiatry and another with a focus on adult cognitive aging.
Jonathan Orrala to serve as co-chair of Staff EDI Committee
Department News | May 29, 2025
We're happy to announce that Jonathan Orrala will be stepping in as co-chair of the department's Staff EDI Committee! Jonathan is a member of our Academic HR team with a focus on faculty recruitment and he became involved with the Staff EDI Committee shortly after joining the department in 2023.
2025 WA Mental Health Summit features six new initiatives
Department News | May 29, 2025
More than 400 people gathered in the UW Husky Union Building for the 2025 Washington State Mental Health Summit on May 13. A partnership between Chad’s Legacy Project, the Behavioral Health Institute at Harborview Medical Center, and our department, this event put a spotlight on new initiatives advancing mental health care around the state.
New standard facilitates transparency, trust during electronic interactions
Department News | May 29, 2025
David D. Luxton, PhD served as co-chair of the Artificial Intelligence Standards Committee that established the new IEEE Standard for Transparent Human and Machine Agency Identification.
Introducing the Chopp Scholars Program in Behavioral Health
Department News | May 29, 2025
In recognition of Rep. Frank Chopp's many contributions to mental health care in WA, we are looking to establish the Chopp Scholars Program in Behavioral Health. This program will seek to support trainees and early career professionals who have an interest in mental health policy.
SPIRIT Center honors World Schizophrenia Day with candid interviews
Department News | May 29, 2025
The SPIRIT Center recognized World Schizophrenia Day – a day dedicated to raising awareness and fighting stigma around an illness that affects over 20 million people worldwide – by creating a special newsletter featuring interviews with individuals who have lived experience of psychosis, as well as caregivers who support loved ones on their journeys.
Early psychosis awareness campaign launches statewide
Department News | May 29, 2025
The SPIRIT Center is proud to launch Washington’s first statewide coordinated early psychosis awareness campaign, the WA-Center of Excellence in Early Psychosis (WA-CEEP). Billboards and posters featuring stigma-reducing messages are now live across the state, generating over 3 million views. Digital ads on Google, Instagram, Reddit, and TikTok have reached an additional 3+ million viewers and counting.
Kate Comtios receives Annual Research Award at AFSP Lifesavers Gala!
Department News | May 29, 2025
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) held its 36th annual Lifesaver's Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City and honored Kate Comtois, PhD with their Annual Research Award.
Sunny Lovin receives John R. Pettit Endowed Leadership Award!
Department News | May 29, 2025
We are delighted to share that Sunny Lovin, MSW, LICSW, director of outpatient behavioral health at Harborview Medical Center, is the 2025 recipient of the John R. Pettit Endowed Leadership Award.
