Mental Health America, Bazelon Center, and University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work receive $100,000 Engagement Award for joint project on the campus mental health crisis  

Kelly Davis, MHA associate vice president of peer and youth advocacy, Nev Jones, Ph.D., assistant professor in the School of Social Work at the University of Pittsburgh, and Jalyn Radziminski, a first-year law student and communications manager at the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, will lead the engagement project intended to amplify the perspectives of students with complex disability-related needs, serious mental illness, multiple disabilities, and intersecting marginalized racial, sexual/gender, and socioeconomic identities. Read more.

Incoming MSW student elected as IEPA's Vice President of Lived Experience Research

Shannon Pagdon currently working as a Study Coordinator, and planning to pursue her master's degree and PhD in Fall 2023 was recently elected the International Early Psychosis Association's (IEPA) Vice President of Lived Experience Research. Read more about her work.

Faculty talk about police role in behavioral health crises

Faculty members Nev Jones and Leah Jacobs spoke to Public Source about the responses to behavioral health crises. Read here.

Gun violence in Pittsburgh: Exploring why shootings are happening

Molly Means, Restorative Practice Coordinator with the Just Discipline Project spoke to WTAE-TV about her work with youth in the Duquesne City School District. She leads discussions with seventh- and eighth-graders at the "community circle" where they express how they're impacted by gun violence around them and why it's happening. Watch and read here.

Doctoral student named to leadership role

Doctoral / MPH student Amanda Cruce was named Chair of the Council of State Affiliates (CoSA) for the National Foster Parent Association. In October, Amanda led a CoSA policy forum in Dallas, Texas and met with leaders around the country to create a strategic policy agenda for foster parents. (Amanda is pictured on the left with Lara Bouse - MI and Tammy Wells - NE)

Social work services come to Carnegie Carnegie

MSW student and Library Fellow Jessie Neal is the focus of this story by the Carnegie Carnegie for the Tribune Review. She’s helped people in housing crisis, connected people with resources for survivors of trauma, and created resource guides for sensitive topics like addiction, mental health and domestic violence. Read more.

Pitt Social Work sponsors holiday toy drive

We are excited to continue supporting our community partners Primary Care Health Services and Alma Illery Medical Center in Homewood as they brings holiday cheer to children ages 4 months through 13 years. From Monday, November 14th through Friday, December 16th, you can grab a gift tag on display in the Dean’s suite to purchase and return wrapped and unwrapped gifts for children. 

Suggested gift items include: books; toys; games; non-flammable jammies; and gift cards. All donations should be placed in the donation collection box—in the Dean’s suite—by 5PM on Friday, December 16. 

SAVE the DATE for the Social Justice Education Summit!

Please JOIN US in kicking off the inaugural Health Sciences Social Justice Education Summit, which seeks to serve as a space to introduce, build and engage students, trainees, staff and faculty in inclusive community-campus partnership. The Summit explores health activism, conjoining a culture of empowerment activism through collaborative engagements. February 28, 2023. More information.

MVPC Seeking volunteers for HSCC Tax Site

HSCC is seeking volunteers to help at their Free Tax Preparation site. They are recruiting Tax Preparers and Greeters. HSCC will provide tax preparation on Tuesdays and Wednesdays each week, beginning January 31, 2023 through April 12, 2023.

Volunteers help low to moderate income working families make the most of their tax refunds by providing free federal, state, and local income tax preparation assistance. Prospective volunteers will undergo FREE training to ensure they meet the IRS guidelines. NO prior experience is needed!

If you, or someone you know, might be interested in becoming a free tax preparation volunteer at the HSCC, feel free to contact kgascoine@hscc-mvpc.org or call 412-437-8229.