| Research Roundup |  Kristin Kosyluk (MHLP)
Pilot Study of Cope Notes Mental Health Program
Sponsor: COPE NOTES, LLC
3/1/2021-6/30/2021
Amount: $10,000
Dr. Kristin Kosyluk, Assistant Professor of Mental Health Law & Policy, was awarded a $10,000 evaluation contract from the mental health text messaging program, Cope Notes, Inc. Cope Notes (https://copenotes.com/) aims to help individuals who are struggling with their mental health practice adaptive coping through the delivery of daily, randomly timed text messages. Dr. Kosyluk will conduct a pilot evaluation of the program, testing its impact on symptoms, coping, stigma, attitudes towards seeking professional mental health treatment, and emotion recognition and management. Cope Notes is an example of a low intensity intervention that is inexpensive, accessible, and may not be as prone to the barrier of stigma due to the mostly private nature of text messaging. Results will inform further research and development of the Cope Notes program. | |  Jerome Galea (SW)
A Solution to Halt Further Isolation of People Aging with HIV During the COVID-19 Pandemic
12/7/2020 - 12/31/2022
Amount: $31,710
Dr. Jerome Galea, Assistant Professor of School of Social Work, is collaborating with researchers at UC-Riverside, USC, and the HIV+Aging Research Project-Palm Springs to conduct a two-year study entitled "A Solution to Halt Further Isolation of People Aging with HIV During the COVID-19 Pandemic." Guided by a Community Advisory Board comprised of 25 men and women aged 50+ and living with HIV (PLWH) from Palm Springs, CA, Los Angeles, CA, and Tampa, FL, the project will begin by characterizing and prioritizing issues related to the isolation experienced by aging PLWH (depression, isolation, meeting basic needs) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Next, a "Virtual Village" will be designed and pilot-tested to help aging PLWH connect with peers, share resources with one another, and access community service providers. MSW student Karah Greene is the Graduate Assistant student coordinator for this multi-site project, with assistance from BSW student Daniel DiEva. | |  Khary Rigg (MHLP)
Research Examining Factors Associated with the Opioid Crisis among Underserved African Americans (REFOCUS)
Sponsor: National Institute on Drug Abuse
1/1/2021-7/31/2025
Amount: $3,200,000
The objective of this 5-year study is to better understand the complex structural, social, and cultural factors that influence nonmedical prescription opioid use (NMPOU) and behavioral healthcare utilization among Black Americans. The research team will recruit 800 Black Americans who engage in NMPOU and conduct surveys (n=800) and interviews (n=40) to develop an understanding of the characteristics associated with their opioid misuse and addiction treatment utilization. In the latter part of the study, communication messages will be developed and researchers will test those messages to find out how they may resonate among various demographics, such as by age and gender. The messages that work best will ultimately be used to create culturally adaptive interventions. | |  Sandra Stone (Criminology)
Artfully Inclusive Manatee (AIM) Project: Addressing Racial Disparities in Elementary School Suspensions by Teaching Arts Integrated Social Awareness and Conflict Resolution Skills to Children
Sponsor: USF Internal |
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RMHC Instructor Jill Heilman, who specializes in rehabilitation counseling and pediatric disabilities, offers guest lectures to medical professionals and pre-professionals on the psychological aspects of pediatric disabilities and how it impacts the family. Her knowledge comes first hand as a mother of three children – Neeley, Halle Grace and Ben – all who have faced many medical issues. Her daughter Halle Grace was born with a rare chromosome deletion, 18Q-, and lost her battle at the age of 15. Dr. Heilman provides the guest lectures as part of her promise to honor the memory of Halle Grace. She covers topics that include communication skills, disability stigmas, disability awareness, the school individualized educational plan (IEP) process, and the psycho-social impact of disability on child and the family.
Two of our current SWIRL Student Scholars who were supported by the Florida Education Fund (FEF) during the 2020-2021 academic year have received notice that their abstracts submitted to the 
Juanita Patterson-Price, a Graduate Teaching Assistant in MHLP has advanced to Doctoral Candidacy in the college's interdisciplinary program in Behavioral and Community Sciences.
