Date and time
October 10, 2024
1:00–2:30 p.m. ET
Overview
Emerging research shows that depression, suicide, and other mental health disorders are more common among autistic people and those with neurodevelopmental disorders compared to the general population. However, people with neurodevelopmental conditions have often been excluded from mental health research and clinical trials, leading to fewer treatment options that meet the needs of individuals, families, and providers.
This webinar will feature two experts sharing new ideas and potential solutions. Jessica Schwartzman, Ph.D., will discuss the latest research on factors influencing depression and suicide in autistic individuals and how to use community-based methods to develop effective interventions. Kristen Berg, Ph.D., will introduce a new integrated care approach designed to assess and treat anxiety, depression and other aspects of health and wellness in people with neurodevelopmental conditions.
About the speakers
Dr. Schwartzman is an assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics at USC’s Keck School of Medicine, a licensed clinical psychologist, and Director of the Training and Research to Empower NeuroDiversity (TREND) lab at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. The research program of Dr. Schwartzman uses multi-method approaches (eg, EEG, eye tracking, interviews, etc.) to study depression and suicide risk in neurodeviant youth and young adults and works with members of the neurodeviant community to translate findings into interventions . Her research is funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, the Saban Research Institute at CHLA, and the Las Madrinas Foundation.
Dr. Berg is an associate professor in the Department of Disability and Human Development and Director of Education for the Illinois LEND Program at the University of Illinois-Chicago. Dr. Berg received an AM (MSW equivalent) and Ph.D. in Social Work from the University of Chicago, School of Social Service Administration. Using rigorous methods conceptually grounded in the social model of disability, Dr. Berg develops evidence to improve the health and independent living outcomes of youth with ASD and other developmental disabilities. He is currently the co-PI of a $7 million PCORI-funded project to develop and test the effectiveness of an integrated behavioral health care coordination model on the health, well-being, and transition readiness of youth with disabilities. As a self-identified person with a disability, Dr. Berg is committed to working with the disability community to translate research into meaningful change.
About Disability Disability, Equity and Mental Health Research Workforce and Disparities Research Webinar Series
The Office for Workforce Disparities and Diversity Research is hosting a series of webinars on disability, equity and mental health research focused on exploring the health disparities faced by people with disabilities. These include disparities in mental health outcomes, which can be further exacerbated for those with intersectional identities. This webinar series brings together researchers, advocates, and people with lived experience to discuss the intersection of disability, mental health, race, and ethnicity. Particular emphasis will be placed on how disability intersects with other populations with health disparities to contribute to mental health outcomes and ways to increase equity, accessibility and inclusion and reduce disparities. In addition, the series explores the concept of mental health conditions as a disability and examines the views of those with lived experience.
Recording
This webinar is free, but registration is required .
Under the patronage
National Institute of Mental Health, Office on Workforce Disparities and Diversity Research
Contact
For questions, contact Beshaun Davis, Ph.D., Program Director, Research on Mental Health of Disadvantaged Populations, Office of Disparities and Workforce Diversity Research.
If you require sign language interpretation and/or other reasonable accommodations to participate in this event, please email the event organizer at NIMH@MN-E.com. Requests must be submitted five days in advance.
