MGH Center of Excellence for Psychosocial and Systemic Research

05/20/2025

04/29/2025

Have you registered for our 2025 Annual Massachusetts DMH Research Centers of Excellence Conference yet? We have some very interesting and important youth mental health topics being featured this year.

- with Massachusetts Department of Mental Health and MGH Center of Excellence for Psychosocial and Systemic Research

04/29/2025

Join us on May 1st at 6:30pm on Zoom for the MBRLC/NAMI Greater Boston Guest Speaker series.

The Peer Specialist research team from the Center of MGH Center of Excellence for Psychosocial and Systemic Research at Mass General Brigham Hospital will present on their Peer Integration Project, followed by a discussion about the challenges Peer Specialists face, and what subsequent recommendations can aid in the integration of Peer Support Specialists into larger healthcare systems and improve access to their services.

Presenters for this talk from the COE include Valeria Chambers, Ryan Markley, Jacquie Martinez, Anne Whitman, and Sandi Whitney Sarles.

For more information, email howarddtrachtman@gmail.com or go to: namiboston.org/event/psan-recovery-speaker-series-coe
or https://www.mbrlc.org/guest-speaker-series

Join Zoom Meeting:
https://bostonmedicalcenter.zoom.us/j/96984874345

04/23/2025

Researchers at the MGH COE just published a new project assessing whether or not the medication varenicline can help youth to stop va**ng ni****ne. Read the full study at the following link:

This randomized clinical trial evaluates the efficacy of varenicline plus behavioral counseling, compared with placebo plus behavioral counseling or with enhanced usual care (behavioral counseling alone), for ni****ne va**ng cessation in youth who do not smoke to***co regularly.

04/04/2025

Kiva Centers has 3 physical locations for Peer-Run Respites as well as Mobile Peer Respites available to support you anywhere in Massachusetts. Peer-Run Respites are trauma-informed, non-clinical alternatives for people experience emotional distress or what is called "crisis." Physical respites have 24/7 Peer Advocates and offer a safe, homelike environment for people to process their experiences in. Swipe for additional details on how to request a stay at each of the Peer-Run Respites

04/03/2025

Kiva Centers is an indigenous-led, peer-run, trauma informed organization offering peer support, training on trauma informed care, advocacy support, and more. Kiva Centers offers non-clinical crisis alternatives, support transitioning in and out of psychiatric facilities, and the MA Peer Workforce Coalition. Visit Kiva Centers at their Worcester or Southbridge locations!

04/02/2025

Save the Date! Our Annual Massachusetts Department of Mental Health (DMH) Research Centers of Excellence Virtual Conference is Thursday, May 29th from 12:30 to 4:30 PM EDT hosted by iSPARC UMass Chan Medical School and MGH Center of Excellence for Psychosocial and Systemic Research Mass General Brigham.

This year's theme is "Promoting Youth Mental and Behavioral Health: Understanding and Addressing Risk and Protective Factors to Improve Youth Well-Being and Outcomes."

This year's feature speakers include Gina Vincent, PhD, Cheryl Y. S. Foo, Ph.D., Daphne J. Holt, MD, PhD, Michelle G. Mullen, PhD and Vanessa Iroegbulem, along with opening remarks from Brooke Doyle, Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health (DMH).

CEUs for Psychology, RN, Social Work, OT, and LMHC will be available.

https://buff.ly/FgaYNu4

Save the Date! Our Annual Massachusetts Department of Mental Health (DMH) Research Centers of Excellence Virtual Conference is Thursday, May 29th from 12:30 to 4:30 PM EDT hosted by iSPARC UMass Chan Medical School and MGH Center of Excellence for Psychosocial and Systemic Research Mass General Brigham.

This year's theme is "Promoting Youth Mental and Behavioral Health: Understanding and Addressing Risk and Protective Factors to Improve Youth Well-Being and Outcomes."

This year's feature speakers include Gina Vincent, PhD, Cheryl Y. S. Foo, Ph.D., Daphne J. Holt, MD, PhD, Michelle G. Mullen, PhD and Vanessa Iroegbulem, along with opening remarks from Brooke Doyle, Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health (DMH).

CEUs for Psychology, RN, Social Work, OT, and LMHC will be available.

https://buff.ly/FgaYNu4

04/02/2025

The Peer-Run Respite "Afiya" by is place to find support and rest, and an alternative to psychiatric hospitalization. The Respite is fully run by Peers and seeks to provide a safe place for people to process their experiences in a relaxing and non-clinical setting

03/20/2025

The has Center locations in Greenfield, Holyoke, Pittsfield, and Springfield. All centers are run by and for people with lived experiences with mental health challenges, substance use challenges, trauma, and other life challenges. Swipe for each locations details.

03/18/2025

The serves Western Massachusetts and is a peer support organization focusing on harm reduction and human rights. The Wildflower Alliance offers peer-to-peer support, trusting the inherent wisdom of each person and meeting them wherever they are with validation, curiosity, vulnerability, and community. Wildflower Alliance also offers alternative medicine (yoga, acupuncture, and and more) as well as systems advocacy and individual advocacy support. Visit the Wildflower Alliance at one of their Centers in Greenfield, Holyoke, Pittsfield, or Springfield.

03/12/2025

The Metro Boston Recovery Learning Center has 4 centers in Metro Boston - 3 in Boston and 1 in Cambridge. Swipe through for locations, open hours, Zoom options, and specialties for each Member Center!

03/11/2025

If you're in Boston proper, the Metro Boston Recovery Learning Community is the one for you. MBRLC centers are run on a drop-in basis, community-driven, and run by peers (people who have lived experience with trauma, substance use challenges, mental health challenges, and other life challenges). The MBRLC meets each individual wherever they are in their recovery or wellness journey.