Collaborative Research Efforts
Developing Community-Based Interventions for American Indian Mental Health
Conducting community-based services intervention research.
Principal Investigator: Jessica Goodkind, Ph.D., UNM Department of Pediatrics
Lead Contact: Richard L. Hough, Ph.D.
Funding Source: National Institute of Mental Health – Career Investigator Development Award (K01)
Goal: To provide mentorship for Dr. Goodkind as she develops a research program that addresses
disparities in mental health services for marginalized, traumatized and underserved populations
through conducting community-based services intervention research that results in
evidence-based and culturally –relevant interventions.
Multi-Method Ethnographic Assessment of Behavioral Health Reform in New Mexico
Evaluating the effects of New Mexico's statewide reorganization of mental health services.
Principal Investigator: C. Willging, Ph.D., Behavioral health Research Center of the Southwest
Lead Contact: Richard L. Hough, Ph.D.
Funding Source: National Institute of Mental Health
Goal: To evaluate the effects of New Mexico’s statewide reorganization of mental health services on
help-seeking and health care delivery for seriously mentally ill adults, especially in rural and
frontier areas.
Refugee Well-being Project
Promoting the health of refugee children in New Mexico.
Principal Investigator: Jessica Goodkind, Ph.D., UNM Department of Pediatrics.
Lead Contact: Brian Isakson, Ph.D.
Funding Source: Con Alma Foundation, St. Joseph's Community Health
Goal: The Refugee Well-being Project (RWP) seeks to promote the health of refugee children in New
Mexico by addressing the social factors that create health disparities and by mobilizing health
resources. Refugee health is impacted by many social factors related to resettlement, including
lack of meaningful social roles, poverty, discrimination, and language and cultural differences.
Objectives are accomplished by involving refugee families and undergraduate students in mutual
learning and advocacy for six month periods.
Mental Health Stigma Survey
Assessing the general public's view of behavioral health.
Principal Investigator: John Oetzel, Ph.D., Chair of the UNM Department of Communications and Journalism
Lead Contact: Melina Salvador, M.A.
Funding Source: State of New Mexico, Department of Health and Human Services, Value Options
Goal: To assess the general public of New Mexico’s views about behavioral health and behavioral
health stigma in an effort to inform the development of a state-wide behavioral health anti-stigma
campaign. A stigma is an attribute that shames or discredits.
STOAP- Screening and Treatment of Opiate and Alcohol Dependences in Primary Care
Determining barriers of implementing screening and treatment protocols for opiate and alcohol dependences.
Principal Investigator: Florian Birkmayer M.D., Andrew Sussman Ph.D.
Funding Source: UNM Clinical Translational Science Center pilot grant
Goal: A unique interdisciplinary collaboration between CRCBH and RIOSNet of the UNM Department
of Family Practice to determine the barriers of implementing screening and treatment protocols
for opiate and alcohol dependences in primary care using qualitative methods, an important topic
in translational research for substance abuse.