April 2017
In This Issue
Who We Are
SPARC
As a MA Department of Mental Health Research Center of Excellence, SPARC aims to improve the mental and behavioral health of all citizens of Massachusetts and beyond.
SPARC
Transitions RTC
A division of SPARC, the Transitions RTC promotes the full participation in socially valued roles of transition-age youth and young adults (ages 14-30) with serious mental health conditions.
What We Do
SPARC and Transitions RTC are committed to transferring knowledge and insights gained through rigorous research to improve the lives of people with lived mental health experience.

We conduct Participatory Action Research, an all-inclusive approach that ensures that every aspect of our research incorporates the voices of those with lived mental health experience. 
Tell Us What You Think
We want to hear from you!
 
If you are interested in knowing more about a particular area of research or want to collaborate with us, please let us know .
Contact us at:
 SPARC@umassmed.edu
 
Please share this e-letter with your networks; we're happy to include them in our circle.
Upcoming Events
Don't miss the Transitions RTC webinar by Vanessa Klodnick & Jonathan Delman!

Employing Young Adult Peer Support Workers:
A Toolkit for Providers
  
Thursday, May 11th 
Noon to 1pm

New Contest!
Celebrate May is Mental Health Month.   
 
Visit the MHE & YOU website and get the contest details! 
Stay Connected

ADVANCING RESEARCH
Protecting Research Participants   
How can we reduce "therapeutic misconception" in clinical trials?
Research in The Works
IMPROVING PRACTICE
2017 MA Department of Mental Health Research Centers of Excellence Conference
 
View SPARC's Presentation Slides and Posters.    
CHANGING POLICY
A Call for Comprehensive Perinatal Psychotherapy Training
 
Training in evidence-based psychotherapeutic practices can effectively address issues that arise during the perinatal and postpartum periods. 
EMPOWERING ACTION
Outside-The-Box College Accommodations: Real Support for Real Students
 
Think "outside-the-box" to get the educational accommodations that help college students with lived mental health experience with their unique struggles.
Read the Tip Sheet

CBTV: Outside the Box Accommodations in College, Part 1.
 
Gus and special guest, Laura DiGalbo, talk about college accommodations and how to get them in a way that will really support college students with mental health lived experience.
FEATURED RESEARCHER
Marsha Langer Ellison
Marsha Ellison is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry and the Deputy Director of  the Learning and Working During the Transition to Adulthood Rehabilitation Research and Training Center.  
 
Marsha Ellison was featured in March 2017 SAMHSA's Practicing Recovery Newsletter.

In the News
NEW RESEARCH! SPARC researcher Ekaterina Pivovarova receives UMass Center for Clinical & Translational Science Award for her proposal,  
  Examining Attrition in Substance Abuse Treatment Through the Health-related Quality of Life Lens.

 
SPARC will have an exhibit table at the 8th Annual Asian American Mental Health Forum on Wednesday May 10, 2017 at Clark University. The event is hosted by the Southeast Asian Coalition of Central Massachusetts.
  
                   Visit SPARC online at:   www.umassmed.edu/sparc


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