Rochester “PRIDE”: The Program of Research and Innovation in Disparities Education (funded by the National Institute of Mental Health)

We are delighted to offer this new opportunity beginning in the 2007-2008 year to interns who are interested in research in health disparities.

As the nation becomes more ethnically diverse, new paradigms are needed to decrease the burden of mental illness, requiring novel approaches to the understanding and treatment of mental health problems. Mood disorders, a leading cause of disability, may present significant challenges in the context of comorbid physical illnesses that disproportionately afflict ethnic minorities and socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals. Many who are affected do not seek treatment. Of those who do seek treatment, rates of recovery are low.

Beginning in the Fall of 2007, our training programs will be enhanced to begin to meet these clinical and public health challenges. PRIDE trainees will gain skills and knowledge in an intellectually vibrant environment while making a difference in ‘real-world’ settings. Designed to prepare trainees to engage in community based mental health research, the Rochester PRIDE curriculum features the following unique offerings:

  • a new seminar titled “Race, Poverty, and Health in the Urban Setting”
  • an innovative mentoring-precepting program by which trainees are exposed to both university and community based mentors and supervisors
  • attendance and participation in research laboratory meetings, usually under guidance of the primary mentor
  • opportunities to assess and treat clients in ‘real world’ community settings such as the Alternatives for Battered Women, Eldersource (a social service agency for seniors) and the Family Restoration Project (an agency providing medical and mental health care to underserved persons)
  • participation in a mentored guided, community-based research experience (although PRIDE interns are not expected to conduct original research)

At least two interns each year will have an opportunity to participate in this innovative, interdisciplinary training track. Training activities will closely parallel those of the Adult Psychology Internship Track except that approximately 10 hours per week will be devoted to community research or practice (replacing the adult track elective experiences and/or other training responsibilities as determined by the interns’ career goals and interests).

More information about the PRIDE program.