February 2017
In This Issue
Who We Are
SPARC
As a Mass DMH 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.
Don't miss our webinar by Melissa Anderson & Tim Riker!

Deaf 101: How to Navigate Clinical Interactions with
Deaf Sign Language Users.
  
March 27th at 1 to 2pm
Stay Connected

INFORMING POLICY
Undocumented College Students, Social Exclusion, and Psychosocial Well-being
Research into how non-citizen status affects young DREAMers.
Learn More
IMPROVING PRACTICE
Paternal Postpartum Depression
Dads get sad too. Learn how to recognize signs and symptoms of paternal depression among new dads.
EMPOWERING ACTION
What is Participatory Action Research?
SPARC and Transitions RTC researcher Jonathan Delman discuss the approach of including the people who are most likely to benefit from research in the process of creating the research itself, and why it is critical to do so.
FEATURED RESEARCHER
Nancy Byatt
Nancy Byatt is a nationally recognized researcher in maternal mental health. Dr. Byatt's research focuses on developing innovative ways to improve the implementation and adoption of evidence-based treatment for pregnant and postpartum women. For her full bio, click here. 

Dr. Byatt is a founding blogger and frequent contributor to Care for Your Mind . CFYM is a collaboration with the American Brain Coalition and the National Network of Depression Centers.
In the News
On January 20, SPARC researcher Rosalie Torres Stone spoke at Clark University's MLK Racial Justice Teach-In about the well-being of undocumented college students.
The bottom line is that these students didn't choose this life. They're still people, and their immigration status doesn't define who they are. They may be undocumented, but they grew up immersed in American culture.

Upcoming Events
March 5-8

Come see us in Tampa!
SPARC and Transitions RTC will be attending and presenting at the 30th Annual Research & Policy Conference Child, Adolescent and Young Adult Mental Health Conference.
 
If you are there, please come say hello.

  
                   Visit SPARC online at:   www.umassmed.edu/sparc


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