UMass SPARC

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

09/29/2025

This clip comes from STAY Tuned Podcast Episode 24: Roots and Change: Youth Advocacy in Rural Communities and features Young Adult Advisory Board member Wyatt Wagner. In this episode, Wyatt talked about his experience creating and running a non-profit to support youth in the rural county he lives in. Check out the full episode for his full story: https://buff.ly/g71ilSc

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

09/22/2025

This clip comes from STAY Tuned Podcast Episode 26: Body Talk and Belonging: Eating Disorder Recovery in a Social World and features Young Adult Advisory Board member Jamie Yang. In this episode, Jamie talked about her journey of resilience and growth in navigating recovery from an eating disorder. She highlighted the powerful role of community in fostering healing through friendships and hobbies. Check out the full episode for her full story: https://buff.ly/GJET7yu

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

09/16/2025

Upcoming Webinar Alert:

Join the UMass Chan Medical School Law & Psychiatry Program, CSG Justice Center and Risk Resilience Research for the third webinar in their Youth Protective Factors Study series, "Key Findings on Risk-Reduction Services," on Sept. 24, 2025, from Noon-1:15 PM EDT.

During this webinar, they will share key findings from the study, including detailed service and outcome tracking of thousands of youth across three states, highlighting which risk factors predict serious reoffending, how services align with best practices, and strategies to improve supervision and resource use.

This webinar is intended for juvenile justice professionals, policymakers, and community leaders.

Register for the webinar today: https://csg-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_4DUFrWezTkayeQAOQn8XYA #/registration

,

09/10/2025

Today is World Su***de Prevention Day.

Don't miss Audacy radio's broadcast "I'm Listening" featuring Massachusetts Department of Mental Health Commissioner Doyle discussion with radio personality and mental health advocate Kennedy Elsey.

Tune in tonight Sept. 10th at 7 PM on Mix1041.com, Big103.com, Magic1067.com, and Weei.com.

Sports are life but talking about mental health is more important now than ever!

Tune into Audacy I'm Listening broadcast on 9/10 from 8-10pm right here on 93.7 WEEI! Don't miss the special LIVE hour with Kennedy Elsey from our sister station Mix 104.1 from 8-9pm!

Brought to you locally by Massachusetts Department of Mental Health!

09/09/2025

Don’t miss the latest webinar with Justice Center, UMass Chan Medical School and Risk Resilience Research! Come hear about key risk factors, the services youth get, and ways to make supervision and support work better.

Register now: https://csg-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_4DUFrWezTkayeQAOQn8XYA #/registration

07/22/2025

Hot off the press is our July Newsletter. Find out the latest news and research on mental health, and read it today.📰



https://www.umassmed.edu/sparc/publications-and-products/newletter/

07/14/2025

Getting accommodations at work can seem like an intimidating process, so we've put together a few tips to help understand how it works! For more detailed information, make sure to check out The Learning & Working RRTC's tip sheet, Accommodations at Work: What Do I Need to Know? https://buff.ly/dLUQ6Fq

06/25/2025

Our colleagues at Deaf YES: Center for Deaf Empowerment and Recovery are seeking enrollees for their Signs of Safety study. If you or someone you know is Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, or Hard of Hearing, uses ASL, and has past alcohol use and trauma-related stress, you may be eligible. See the post below for full details.

DEAF & SOBER CURIOUS? This study may be for you!

WHO CAN JOIN?
- Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled or Hard of Hearing
- Fluent in ASL
- 18 years and older
- Alcohol use in the past month
- Trauma-related stress in the past month

POSSIBLE BENEFITS MAY INCLUDE:
- 12 virtual counseling sessions at no cost
- Learning skills to manage trauma and addiction
- Earning up to $500 for completing 5 online surveys throughout the course of the study

INTERESTED? Contact signsofsafety@umassmed.edu





Visual Description:
[A flyer for a study titled "DEAF & SOBER CURIOUS?". The flyer is in a light, slightly peachy color, with a graphic of a sunset over water at the bottom. The text is predominantly black and highlights eligibility requirements, potential benefits, and contact information.

The "WHO CAN JOIN?" section lists criteria including: being Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, or Hard of Hearing; able to communicate in American Sign Language (ASL); having experienced alcohol use and/or trauma-related stress in the past month; living in the United States; and being 18 years or older.

The "POSSIBLE BENEFITS" section lists 12 virtual counseling sessions at no cost and learning skills to cope with trauma and addiction. There is also a monetary incentive: up to $500 for completing five online surveys throughout the study.

Contact information is provided, including an email address (SignsOfSafety@umassmed.edu), and a study identification number. A QR code is displayed next to the "in ASL" text which provides another way to learn more about the study in ASL. There is also a logo with text "DEAF YES" next to the email address, and the university affiliations and IRB number are listed at the bottom.]