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Research and Practice

Violence

Interpersonal violence and suicide are among the most severe and preventable forms of violence in the United States and globally. A public health framework for violence prevention highlights the need to engage multiple sectors - public health, social services, housing, economic development, education, and criminal justice to address systemic determinants of violence. A public health framework for violence prevention also works to mobilize our nation’s health care and public health systems by working with communities. An evidence-based public health response applies data surveillance, data linkage and advanced methods to identify social, structural, and community conditions under which interventions and policies can be most effective.

Violence

Our Work in Action

Real-time assessments of suicidality among Black men: a mixed methods approach (Leslie Adams) Black men are experiencing increasing rates of suicide in recent years, signaling an emerging public health crisis. Little is known about how racial discrimination functions as a potentially important risk factor for suicide in this population. By integrating digital health strategies, such as ecological momentary assessment (EMA) using smartphones, to assess individuals’ experiences in social environments, including instances of racial discrimination, the goal is greater understanding of experiences that increase Black men’s risk for suicide. 2020 Young Investigator Grant from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

black man standing at window

Faculty Spotlight

Professor
Mental Health

Holly Wilcox, PhD '03, MS, uses research to advance public health approaches to suicide prevention, including policies, early intervention, and chain of care approaches.

Leslie Adams
Assistant Professor
Mental Health

Leslie Adams, PhD, MPH, researches the intersection of gender, race, and mental health to examine socially-determined mental health disparities in Black communities.

Tiara Willie
Assistant Professor
Mental Health

Tiara C. Willie, PhD, MA, researches how gender-based violence, mental health, and sexual health together advance trauma-informed policies, programs, and interventions.

group of middle schoolers sitting on ground looking at books
Violence

Our Work in Action

Adaptation and Pilot of a Universal School-based Suicide Prevention Program (Holly Wilcox, Elise Pas, Beth Marshall, Judy Bass, Phil Leaf) This project will adapt and pilot test the Youth Aware of Mental Health program for urban middle school students in Baltimore City Public Schools.