Institute Updates

IMHR 2022 -23 Round 1 and Round II Awards

The Institute for Mental Health Research is proud to announce the selection of six Arizona-based research teams that together, received more than $500,000 in IMHR funding for projects aimed at addressing some of the most pressing mental health challenges facing Arizona, the U.S. and the world.

The following studies were selected for support from IMHR in this most recent round of funding:

Isolating Environmentally Induced DNA Methylation Patterns Associated with Psychopathology in Adolescent Twins.

Candace Lewis, PhD., Assistant Professor, School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University

Dr. Lewis's research explores the complex interplay between experience-dependent dynamic epigenetic regulation of gene systems and how it relates to brain structure and function, behavior, and mental health. Dr. Lewis received $125,000 grant in 2023 to study DNA Methylation patterns with psychopathology in adolescent twins.

Addressing the Mental Health Concerns of Family Caregivers for People Living with ADRD in Long Term Care

Janet Pohl, PhD. Assistant Professor, Center for Innovation in Health and Resilient Again, college of Nursing and Health Innovation, Arizona State University

 Dr. Pohl's research focus is in gerontological nursing related to social isolation and loneliness in aging populations, and the implications for depression, anxiety, and well-being. Dr. Pohl received a $100,000 grant in 2023 to study the mental health concerns of family caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders who reside in long term care facilities.

Improving Young Adult Cancer Survivors’ Mental Health with an eHealth Group Intervention

Rina Fox, PhD., Assistant Professor, Bio-behavioral Health Sciences Division, University of Arizona College of Nursing

Dr. Fox's research interests involve understanding how psychological processes impact health outcomes in chronic illnesses, particularly cancer, and developing supportive care interventions to improve mental health outcomes and decrease symptom burden. Dr. Fox received a $125,000 grant in 2023 to study the effects of an eHealth group intervention to improve young adult cancer survivor mental health.

Optimizing Strategies to Protect and Promote Children’s Mental Health in the Context of Post-Separation/Divorce Inter-parental Conflict 

Karey O'Hara PhD., Assistant Professor, School of Social and Behavior Sciences, Arizona State University

Dr. O'Hara's research focuses on factors that contribute to children's risk trajectories for developing mental health problems in the context of high post-divorce inter-parental conflict. Dr. O'Hara received a $50,000 grant to study strategies to optimize children's mental health in the context of inter-parental conflict post separation/divorce.

Neural Mechanisms Underlying Social and Cognitive Behavior in Autism: The Role of Cerebellar-mPFC Connections

Jessica Verpeut, PhD., Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Arizona

Dr. Verpeut is a behavioral neuroscientist whose interests center on understanding how long-distance neural pathways affect cognition and aging to influence a range of behavior that may create risk for development. Dr. Verpeut received a $50,000 grant in 2023 to study mechanisms underlying social and cognitive behavior seen in Autism Spectrum Disorder, with a specific focus on the cerebellum and connections to the pre-frontal cortex.

The Mind and Appetite After Midnight

Michael Grandner, PhD., Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Arizona

Dr. Grandner's research addresses sleep research in general, behavioral sleep medicine in specific, and the study of sleep disparities. Dr. Grandner received a $50,000 grant to study the effects of nocturnal wakefulness and related eating problems, as a context for dysregulated behavior and mental health problems.

Stress and Alcohol-related Consequences in Mid Life
How are daily stresses affecting alcohol intake in middle-aged persons?
According to principal investigator William Corbin, Ph.D., Arizona State University, while most alcohol research focuses on people aged 35 and younger, “there is a significant need to understand how COVID-19 related stressors impact drinking outcomes among middle-aged adults,” especially given the health, family, economic and lifestyle challenges in recent years. Corbin notes that rates of heavy drinking in middle-aged and older adult men and women have increased more than 50% since the early 2000s, compared to an increase of 14.2% in young adults.

Molecular and Circuit Mechanisms Underlying Cocaine Addiction
What happens in the brain to trigger cocaine addiction?
Deaths from drug overdoses are nearly 30% higher in Arizona than the national average. In a quest to better understand the neurobiology related to addiction, Shenfeng Qiu, Ph.D., University of Arizona College of Medicine, will study how brain circuits react during cocaine addiction. This knowledge can lead to the development of more effective drugs to treat addiction.

Assessing Parental ADHD-related Barriers to Behavioral Parent Training Skill Use
How can we better help children with ADHD when their parent or caregiver also has ADHD?
Nearly half of children with ADHD have at least one parent with ADHD, creating significant barriers to successful interventions. “Without effective treatment, a childhood diagnosis of ADHD can lead to increased risk of substance abuse, academic underachievement, criminal justice involvement, lower socioeconomic status, and homelessness in adulthood,” said Lauren M. Friedman, Ph.D, Arizona State University researcher. In her study, Friedman will use a smartphone-based approach to gather data in real time, while supporting both the parent and the child during their participation in a behavioral training program.

Effectiveness and Implementation of the Parent Support Program within a Hospital Setting: A Pilot Hybrid-Type 2 Study
How can we improve support to parents of transgender youth?
Research shows that transgender youth report increased psychological distress due to the current political climate. According to Em Matsuno, Ph.D., Arizona State University, “youth in Arizona may be particularly vulnerable to mental health risks given increased stress due to new discriminatory laws.” Matsuno and team will work with Phoenix Children’s Hospital to identify factors that help parents to empathize with, and support their child’s choices.

Perinatal Stress, Social Support, and Neuroendocrine Regulation among Mothers with Opioid Use Disorder and their Infants: Implications for Infant Attachment and Development
Can we improve how we help opioid addicted pregnant individuals by better understanding the biological and psychological effects on infants caused by misuse of the drug?
Opioid misuse has reached unprecedented epidemic proportions in the U.S. In Arizona, more than five people die each day from opioid overdose. Opioid addiction among pregnant individuals has increased nearly 500% in the past 15 years. According to principal investigator Linnea Linde-Krieger, Ph.D., University of Arizona College of Medicine, opioid misuse during pregnancy carries significant health and safety risks for mothers and infant, including fatal overdose by the mother, pre-term or still birth of the baby, and neonatal withdrawal syndrome which can cause physical and cognitive harm to the baby.

Using Wastewater Epidemiology and Hospital Discharge Data to Examine COVID-related Changes in Drug Use
Can analyzing wastewater provide near real-time data that will help communities identify drug abuse hotspots and prepare more effective interventions?
Building on Tempe’s pioneering efforts to use wastewater analysis to identify and address substance abuse in the community, this project will determine if wastewater data allows a community to better predict and prepare for opioid overdoses and deaths. “New tools are urgently needed to identify opioid use in communities, particularly during and after stressful events like the COVID-19 pandemic, when drug use becomes more frequent and unpredictable,” said principal investigator Madeline Meier, Ph.D., Arizona State University.

As well, this November, IMHR completed funding for the ongoing project, Impact of COVID-19 on Alcohol Use and Mental Health During the Transition to College, led by Principal Investigator, Jinni Su, PhD, Director of the Genes, Environment, and Youth Development Laboratory, and Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at Arizona State University. This study aims to prevent and reduce substance abuse, anxiety and depression among students who entered college during the pandemic, 20% of whom struggle with behavioral (alcohol and substance use) and/or emotional problems (anxiety and/or depression) that interfere with their success.

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IMHR Board Chair Honored By ‘48 Arizona Women’

Congratulations to Institute for Mental Health Research Board Chair, Mitzi Krockover, MD - included among the "48 Most Intriguing Women of Arizona for 2022." Known for her work in women's health, Mitzi is leading the Institute toward further achievement this year, championing and illuminating the need for mental health research. As Mitzi reminds us often, we can't have effective health services without evidence based research, and new solutions for treating and preventing mental illness have never before been so urgently needed."

The 48 Arizona Women project honors professional and non-professional women from diverse backgrounds whose leadership and commitment are contributing in a positive way to the future of Arizona. Honorees hail from 15 cities across the state.

48 Arizona Women, the sponsoring organization based in Scottsdale, started as an official Arizona Centennial Project in 2010 to recognize the state’s most remarkable women having a notable impact in their communities (often with little fanfare). The organization’s mission is to transform lives, build stronger communities, and help positively shape Arizona and the nation.

READ MORE: https://azbigmedia.com/business/these-are-the-48-most-intriguing-women-of-arizona-for-2022

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2022 Grants Competition Announced

April 20, 2022
Today, the Institute for Mental Health Research (IMHR) announced the availability of $700,00 in competitive grants to support innovative research in mental health. The grants are available to credentialed investigators in the state of Arizona associated with any recognized research or health institution in the state. The IMHR funding mechanism is specifically meant to seed, through substantial pilot activity, research that will lead to significant subsequent funding from federal agencies such as NIH, NSF, or other major national philanthropic organizations.

Priority areas of interest for this call for applications are: 1) Child and adolescent mental health, 2) Aging and mental health, 3) Addiction, and 4) Mental health disparities relevant to Arizona. IMHR is particularly interested in proposals that include a “COVID impact” aim, either as a primary or secondary focus. Applications that address multiple areas are encouraged.

IMHR was established in 2001, and over the past 21 years, has encouraged and supported innovative seed research in mental health that has both advanced the field, and led to major national funding to pursue more extensive efforts. The successes to date have been remarkable. IMHR has provided over $2 million to Arizona scientists, and this investment in state scientific talent has resulted in a 10:1 return on investment.

Funding for this competition was made possible by a $2 million grant from the Bureau of Chronic Disease & Health Promotions at the Arizona Department of Health Services to support Arizona scientists pursuing new solutions to address mental health concerns.

You can learn more about the competition here: www.imhr.org/imhrgrants

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2021 Funded Mental Health Awards

September 2021
Thanks to a generous gift from the Dolores Miller Charitable Endowment in Memory of Carlyle Miller, the Institute for Mental Health Research (IMHR) has provided initial funding for a study titled Impact of COVID-19 on Alcohol Use and Mental Health During the Transition to College. The research is headed by PI, Dr. Jinni Su, Developmental Psychologist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at Arizona State University. Dr. Su’s research promises to move us closer to understanding the interplay of mental health, addiction, and the added burden of crisis. Understanding how stressors influence alcohol use and the connected mental health outcomes among vulnerable populations, and identifying risk and protective factors that may exacerbate or buffer the impact of stressors, is vital to inform prevention and intervention efforts.

July 2021
IMHR funded a study on pandemic grieving this month, titled Not There to Say Goodbye: COVID-related Bereavement Consequences for Mental Health. The research is led by PI, Dr. Mary-Frances O'Connor, Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Arizona. Dr. O’Connor’s Grief, Loss and Social Stress Laboratory focuses on bereavement specific to neurobiological, immune and autonomic responses to grief.

The work is timely as over 400,000 lives have been lost to COVID-19 in the US. For each pandemic death, an estimated nine surviving Americans lose a grandparent, parent, sibling, spouse, or child. Bereavement predicts elevated risk for depression, suicidality, and prolonged grief disorder, and has broad adverse implications for social and economic wellbeing.

Results from this study will inform interventions for pandemic bereavement, as well as healthcare policy on end-of-life care. Data from the study will also be used to seek further funding, enabling important longitudinal research.

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2021 Capacity Grant from Vitalyst Heath Foundation

March, 2021 - IMHR receives technical assistance grant from Vitalyst Health Foundation

The Institute for Mental Health Research (IMHR) announces the receipt of a critical technical assistance grant in the amount of $11,000 from the Vitalyst Health Foundation. The award will help IMHR better serve donors, scientists, and the mental health research community.

In response to this generosity, Board President, Dr. Mitzi Krockover, states “As a small nonprofit with a limited administrative budget, we are grateful to Vitalyst Health Foundation for recognizing the need for operational and capacity support. With modernized administrative systems and an updated website in place, we are able to focus on building  important donor relationships and advancing our mission of funding mental health research in Arizona.” 

COVID-19 has heighted the criticality of IMHR’s role in securing seed funds for early-stage mental health research as the pandemic’s wide-spread and long-term impact on our mental health has become a collective source of concern. The grant provided by Vitalyst Health Foundation to expand IMHR’s operational capacity supports the Institute’s ability to raise money for research that better addresses pandemic impact, and identifies opportunities for prevention, solutions and treatments.

The funds are allocated to provide the following:
1.  Implementation of a new donor relationships management system (CRM)
2.  Professional design services to create a new, tailored, donor-centric website
3.  Continuing engagement with professional fundraising consultant Michele M Rebeor to ensure critical fundraising functions

David Martinez III, Vitalyst Director of Capacity Building and Community Engagement, states “Vitalyst is deeply committed to growing capacity at the community level with people that are working to improve the health of their own communities.”

Founded in 2001 as the first statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to early-stage mental health research in the U.S., the Institute for Mental Health Research (IMHR) partners with Arizona scientists, institutions and health organizations to support innovative mental health research that addresses complex and problematic mental health issues.

IMHR has provided more than $2 million in seed funding to 54 mental health research projects led by scientists representing multiple institution across the state. These grants produce pilot data and evidence needed to submit larger funding proposals to organizations like the National Institute for Mental Health (NIMH). Scientists funded by IMHR have garnered a 10:1 return on initial grants by securing more than $20 million in additional research dollars, ultimately strengthening Arizona’s commitment to mental health research. 

With 20 years of supporting mental health through research and education, at the onset of COVID-19, IMHR recognized the “silent pandemic” of mental health complications that operate in parallel with physical illness. In 2020, IMHR created the COVID-19 Mental Health Research Impact Fund to support research focused on behaviors, impacts, treatments, interventions directly related to the pandemic.

The Institute for Mental Health Research is a is a 501(c)3 nonprofit established in 2001 with a mission to fund early-stage, innovative mental health research in Arizona. With the support of donors like you, IMHR also produces educational opportunities to share research findings across disciplines and with lay communities.

2020 AWARDS ANNOUNCED

In response to COVID-19 and the severe underfunding of mental health research in the U.S., the Institute for Mental Health Research has awarded two grants that will enable immediate and continued research into the pandemic’s effect on mental health. Awardees are Arizona scientists Athena Aktipis, PhD and Michelle “Lani” Shiota, PhD. Funding for the awards comes from IMHR’s COVID-19 Mental Health Research Impact Fund, which has a goal of $1 million raised in 2020.