UMass SPARC

01/29/2026

Our January newsletter is out! 📣

Stay updated with the latest mental health news, events, and resources from our team. This month’s edition features:

Law & Psychiatry researchers presenting to the Statehouse Special Commission

Webinar Recording: "From Outreach to Shared Leadership"

Latest S.T.A.Y. Tuned Podcast – Episode 29

Launch of our new "Adulting Shorts" comic

iSPARC researchers featured in print publications

Upcoming presentations

Check out the full newsletter for details and links to recordings, publications, and more. Link in in the comments below👇

01/27/2026

Third places (or spaces) can be a key component in bringing communities together or even forging new ones. Let's work together to protect these spaces and keep them alive! Let us know what your favorite third place is in the comments.

You can learn more about third places/spaces here: https://buff.ly/jUIqioA

And don't forget to follow iSPARC and the Transitions to Adulthood Center for Research for more CIRC Center content!

01/05/2026

Our friends at the are hosting a webinar on January 20th from 2-3 PM EST.

The topic: From Outreach to Shared Leadership: Expanding Collaborations with Young Adults with Lived Expertise

Click the link to learn more and register!

Join us for our first webinar of 2026!

"From Outreach to Shared Leadership: Expanding Collaborations with Young Adults with Lived Expertise," presented by Davy Yue, Joshua Calarino, and Tracy Neville.

Tuesday, January 20th, 2-3 EST via Zoom.

Community engaged research (CER) is a collaborative approach between researchers and individuals with lived expertise, whose often under-recognized voices are centered in conducting research, decision-making, and disseminating evidence-based knowledge and meaningful resources.

This webinar highlights how the CIRC Center has successfully empowered community partners from the Young Adult Advisory Board (YAB) with lived expertise of mental health conditions to co-produce research and dissemination projects. We will describe our experiences and share reflections on over a year of these established roles from the perspective of our community partners. Attendees will gain an understanding of how our community partners’ contributions have accelerated CIRC Center research and knowledge translation projects to date and how these projects have impacted our community partners by fostering professional development and a sense of community.

Register for the webinar today using the link in the comments below!👇

12/30/2025

As we wrap up 2025, we would like to thank you for your support in advancing mental health research and strengthening behavioral health services and systems in our communities.

From all of us at iSPARC, we wish you A Happy New Year!

12/09/2025

This clip comes from STAY Tuned Podcast Episode 28: Overcoming Systemic Barriers in Mental Health and Education with Ty Smith. In this episode, Ty talked about their powerful story of resilience and advocacy. From difficult experiences in the mental health system to designing their own college degree and becoming a policy advisor, Ty’s journey challenges the stigma around mental health and disability while shining a light on the importance of peer-led support and meaningful, dignified employment for all. Check out the full episode for their full story: https://buff.ly/JAdt0Rp

Don't forget to follow iSPARC and the Transitions to Adulthood Center for Research for more Learning & Working RRTC content!

11/24/2025

There are many different ways to build communities. Sometimes, even something as simple as just slowing down for a moment to talk with your cashier can make a difference. Would you use a chat lane if your local grocery store had one?

You can learn more about chat lanes here: https://buff.ly/bELswqi

And don't forget to follow iSPARC and Transitions to Adulthood Center for Research for more CIRC Center content!

10/30/2025

Did you know that every $1 invested by the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health in FY25 yielded a return of $25.81 to the Commonwealth to fund our portfolio of research, training, technical assistance, and service delivery?

We leverage DMH funding to sustain a broad portfolio of research and community-focused activities that strengthen the Commonwealth’s behavioral health services.

You can learn more about our work in our 2025 Annual Report (see the link in the comments below 👇📄)

10/14/2025

Volunteering offers individuals a meaningful way to engage with and contribute to their communities while also supporting personal and professional development. To learn more, check out our latest tip sheet, Get Involved, Get Inspired: How to Start Volunteering Now, available for free on our website (https://buff.ly/2DQFFFn).

For more information about The CIRC Center, visit our website (https://buff.ly/AVvd330).

And don't forget to follow iSPARC and the Transitions to Adulthood Center for Research for more CIRC Center content!

10/07/2025

This clip comes from STAY Tuned Podcast Episode 24: Bridging the Gap in College Mental Health: Peer Academic Supports for Success and features Paul Cherchia, assistant director at the Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation at Boston University. In this episode, Paul talked about PASS (Peer Academic Supports for Success) — a peer coaching program supporting college students with mental health challenges. Paul shared how PASS was developed, its evidence-based success, and its unique model that pairs trained student coaches with other students to foster academic and emotional well-being. Check out the full episode for his full story: https://buff.ly/ez3PFAz

Don't forget to follow iSPARC and the Transitions to Adulthood Center for Research for more Learning & Working RRTC content!

10/07/2025

This clip comes from STAY Tuned Podcast Episode 24: Bridging the Gap in College Mental Health: Peer Academic Supports for Success and features Paul Cherchia, assistant director at the Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation at Boston University. In this episode, Paul talked about PASS (Peer Academic Supports for Success) — a peer coaching program supporting college students with mental health challenges. Paul shared how PASS was developed, its evidence-based success, and its unique model that pairs trained student coaches with other students to foster academic and emotional well-being. Check out the full episode for his full story: https://buff.ly/ez3PFAz

Don't forget to follow TransitionsACR for more Learning & Working RRTC content!

10/07/2025

Hot off the Press is our FY25 Annual Report: "Improving Lives & Strengthening Communities"!

We continue to leverage the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health investment to rapidly translate research findings into their implementation within best practices for individuals with lived experience, their families, and the providers who serve them across the Commonwealth.

This year's achievements include our extensive technical assistance (TA) to support the DMH and its partners in strengthening clinical practice and workforce development, and diversifying the portfolio of innovative, community-engaged research to improve the lives of people with behavioral health conditions.

Read the report in our eLibrary. https://lnkd.in/ebVnhN3D

10/06/2025

We are excited to have iSPARC members Debbie Nicolellis and Robin Tasca presenting at this year's Center on KTDRR virtual conference taking place October 20-23rd.

Debbie will be presenting on Participatory Action in Action: Involving the Youth Voice in Knowledge Translation through Online Training, and Robin will be discussing Accessibility by Design: Creating Inclusive Electronic Products.

Visit the Conference website to learn more and register: https://lnkd.in/eZsgbGss