Mental Health & Substance Use

Faculty conduct research to improve treatment and quality of life for people living with mental health and substance use concerns.

Our transdisciplinary research

determines possible causes of mental health concerns and substance use behaviors in key populations;
identifies opportunities for prevention.

Populations of interest currently include individuals with chronic health conditions; marginalized communities experiencing despair; people who use drugs; queer, trans/nonbinary, and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities.

Signature Research Areas

More About Research on Mental Health & Substance Use

Research News

Canceling the Culture of Clamming Up
By normalizing conversations about mental health and offering social and peer support for those who may be struggling, nurses can help erase the stigmas associated with mental illness. The most important phrase for nurses to remember when it comes to mental health and mental illness is simple: You are not alone.
Dr. Angela Fernandez | Grant Award
Dr. Angela Fernandez (site PI) and Dr. Lonnie Nelson (PI, Washington State University (WSU), College of Nursing) were awarded a Diversity Supplement to an R01 grant to support the study Measurement of Nature Contact: The Influence of Cultural Practices on Sleep Health and Chronic Disease among Rural and Urban American Indians.
Dr. Rachel Gicquelais | Grant Award
Dr. Rachel Gicquelais, PhD, was awarded a COVID-19 Response Research and Education grant to support the study Responding to dual epidemics of COVID-19 and overdose among people who inject drugs in Wisconsin.
Dr. Elliot Tebbe | Grant Award
Drs. Elliot Tebbe (co-I) and Stephanie Budge (PI, Dept of Counseling Psychology) were awarded the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education (OVCRGE's) Understanding and Reducing Inequities Initiative grant.
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