University of South Florida

Contacts

Chair:
Larry Schonfeld, PhD
(813) 974-4453

Department Administrator:
Sheryl Stire
(813) 974-1970

School of Aging Studies:
Cathy McEvoy, PhD, Director
(813) 974-1940

Latest News

A New Name and New Mission:
We are now the Department of Aging and Mental Health Disparities. Since 1975, our department has focused on applied research aimed at improving behavioral health services for older adults and their families, within Florida and nationally. In recent years, our research has expanded to address behavioral health issues affecting diverse and underserved populations. This emphasis supports USF’s Strategic Plan, Goal III "Expanding local and global engagement initiatives to strengthen and sustain healthy communities and to improve the quality of life."

The mission of the Department of Aging and Mental Health Disparities is to conduct research, program evaluation, knowledge dissemination, education and consultation to address the mental health and support system needs of older adults and to address behavioral health disparities in Florida and nationally.

Some Facts about the Department

The Department of Aging and Mental Health Disparities (AMHD) is one of three research departments of the Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute at the University of South Florida.

AMHD research is supported by funding sources including the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), National Institute on Aging (NIA), National Institute of Justice, Health Services Research Administration (HRSA), Department of Veterans Affairs, AARP Foundation, Hartford Foundation, Borchard Foundation, Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, Florida Department of Children and Families, and Johnnie B. Byrd Sr. Alzheimer's Center and Research Institute. Faculty research articles are published in high impact journals in the aging and mental health fields.

To accomplish its mission, AMHD faculty collaborate with state and local agencies such as the Florida Department of Elder Affairs, Florida Department of Children and Families, Florida Department of Health, Agency for Health Care Administration, Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Florida Correctional Medical Authority, West Central Florida Area Agency on Aging, Broward County Elderly and Veterans Services, Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Mental Health Services, and Hillsborough County Department of Aging.

Faculty members are frequently invited to serve on federal expert panels for agencies such as the National Institutes of Health, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, National Center on Elder Abuse, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Department of Veterans Affairs, National Institute of Disability and Rehabilitation Research, American Psychological Association, National Coalition for Mental Health and Aging, National Center for Elder Abuse, Gerontological Society of America, American Association of Suicidology, and American Society on Aging.

AMHD faculty are committed to excellence in educating future researchers and scholars. To accomplish this they provide course instruction within the USF School of Aging Studies, Honors College, FMHI's undergraduate minor in Behavioral Healthcare, and FMHI's National Science Foundation funded Research Experience for Undergraduates. They also serve as mentors for doctoral students and postdoctoral research fellows, and host numerous training events for professionals.

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