Youth from low- and middle-income countries experience mental health burdens and lack the resources necessary to address them. Most evidence-based treatments (EBTs) come from Western countries, and may not be a good fit for these communities. Dr. Maya Boustani from the Department of Psychology and her co-authors recently published an article aimed at addressing these problems through relevance mapping methodology.

In the USA, there is a well-established correlation between low literacy level and poor health outcomes. Independent predictors of low literacy include poverty and being African-American or Hispanic/Latinx. This, in part, helps to explain the disproportionately high number of chronic conditions and mortality among these groups.

Healthcare professionals and policy makers should be aware that in the current political climate, Latinos' complex lives are being significantly affected by the looming presence of a detention center.

"We have come together to process challenging times in our nation and in our community," writes student Natalie Hsieh. "We can build on these moments by purposely noticing and encouraging them, and creating space for more intentional growth."

All alumni, students, faculty, and staff are invited to contribute to the Department of Social Work & Social Ecology's Holiday Card Service Project!

Write a few holiday cards for InnovAge participants in San Bernardino, and drop them off in the Social Work department mailbox by December 8! (Please include a sticky note with your name, the date submitted, and the total number of cards you contributed.)

Feel free to include your kids as contributors to this project! The department's goal is to write 1,000 cards for elderly individuals this holiday season.

Questions? Contact Jose Esparza at jesparza@students.llu.edu or Crystal Ruedas at cruedas@students.llu.edu.

Dr. Rich Hartman's very first graduate student, Dr. Joel Kamper, was interviewed earlier this year on Navigating Neuropsychology. This informative podcast, in which the hosts "present cutting-edge scientific findings, debate and discuss important topic areas, and interview experts in a variety of brain-behavior related fields" is co-hosted by one of Dr. Hartman's more recent graduate students, Dr. John Bellone! In this episode, they discussed "licensure requirements to practice as a clinical psychologist, and how these requirements vary across states and provinces" as well as the EPPP. Listen here

Congratulations to Clinical Psychology PhD student Brianna Hardt for receiving two awards at the 2020 American Psychological Association Convention based on her work with the AHS-2 Cognitive and Neuroimaging Study!

Ausmila (Oz) Aklikokou graduated with his MS in Counseling from the Department of Counseling and Family Sciences in June 2020. Mr. Aklikokou also successfully completed the department's Drug and Alcohol Counseling certificate program while completing clinical placements at the CFS Clinic in the Behavioral Health Institute and at His House, a residential substance use treatment facility in Colton.

Oz was also recognized as the Outstanding Counseling Student for 2020 by the CFS Department and is the recipient of the Wil Alexander Wholeness Award. Mr. Aklikokou demonstrated himself to be a quiet leader among his cohort in the counseling program. We wish Ausmila all the best as he continues his professional development as a registered professional clinical counselor associate.

Dr. Cameron Neece, Associate Professor, has been chosen as President-Elect for the American Psychological Association's Division 33, which is focused on "research and practice in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism spectrum disorder."

"I am sincerely honored and humbled to be elected as President-Elect for Division 33 of APA," says Dr. Neece. "I care passionately about children with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families and hope to use this position to better support these incredible children."

Dr. Brian Distelberg, recipient of an LLUH Values Exemplar award for 2020, is an extraordinary innovator and collaborator, whose dedication to excellence and integrity is evident in all he does to support SBH, LLU, and the entire LLUH system. His work on the MEND program has enabled cutting edge interventions that tangibly demonstrate our institution's compassion and understanding for chronically ill children, adults, and their families. This program has changed the lives and health of hundreds—helping them to pursue healthier, non-stigmatizing lives supported by whole person care principles.

In spite of this accomplishment, Dr. Distelberg remains humble and generous with his time and support for others. In all ways he exemplifies the values of our institution and deserves this recognition for his persistent excellence.

Grants will provide financial assistance to 42 doctoral-level psychology students whose backgrounds include economic or educational hardship. The HHS program emphasizes support for underrepresented racial and ethnic groups and is designed to increase the diversity of the workforce in the mental health profession.

"Our goal is for students in this program to commit to improving the distribution, diversity, and competency of the primary care psychology workforce in the medically underserved region of San Bernardino County," said Beverly Buckles, DSW, dean of the School of Behavioral Health. Read more

Find details about the 4P Primary Care Psychology Pipeline Program here!

Join us on November 13 from 8:30am-12:00pm! This conference will be held entirely online using Zoom. All are welcome! (RSVP is appreciated but not required.)

Read more | Join Zoom meeting