#USA #mental health #Cleveland #Cleveland Clinic #MQ Foundation

New Collaborative Initiative to Enhance Youth Mental Health Research

In a transformative step for youth mental health, the MQ Foundation has joined forces with the Cleveland Clinic to create the Mental Health Research Center of Excellence. This initiative is supported by a significant $1 million grant from the MQ Foundation, complemented by additional funding from the Cleveland Clinic. Over the next five years, this collaboration aims to focus on the prevention and early intervention of mental health issues among young people, particularly around conditions like depression and suicidal behaviors.

Lara Kalafatis, senior vice president and chief philanthropy officer at Cleveland Clinic, expressed gratitude for the funding, emphasizing its role in enabling researchers to explore critical inquiries that can significantly affect patient outcomes. This partnership represents a shared commitment to advancing mental health outcomes for children and adolescents, a demographic that is increasingly facing mental health struggles.

Ann Richman, Executive Director of the MQ Foundation, highlighted the importance of this collaboration in revolutionizing mental health research. By merging first-rate clinical skills with a deep-seated passion for discovery, this project aspires to accelerate breakthroughs for understanding youth mental health.

The research will be directed by Dr. Tatiana Falcone, a well-respected pediatric and adolescent psychiatrist at Cleveland Clinic Children's. Leading a multidisciplinary team, Dr. Falcone aims to delve into the neurological elements that shape youth mental health. Her enthusiasm for this initiative is clear as she notes the potential to dramatically improve how suicide risks in young individuals are identified and treated.

In addition to exploring how hopelessness correlates with mental health risk factors in ages 14 to 24, the study aims to leverage advanced neuroimaging techniques to pinpoint biomarkers that could signal risk levels. This groundbreaking approach is expected to lead to more tailored treatment pathways for young individuals struggling with mental health issues.

The initiative will also assess the Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS), a proven intervention designed to reduce hopelessness and enhance outcomes for youth at risk.

The landscape of mental health research has historically suffered from inadequate funding compared to other medical fields, resulting in critical gaps in understanding and treatment options. By blending Cleveland Clinic's robust clinical capabilities with the MQ Foundation's dedication to pushing boundaries in mental health research, this endeavor seeks to fast-track advancements and set an example for expanding youth-focused mental health research across the country.

About MQ Foundation

The MQ Foundation is committed to funding essential research aimed at detecting, preventing, and treating mental illness. The foundation recognizes that mental health is multifaceted, necessitating a broad interdisciplinary approach that encompasses medical sciences, social sciences, technology, and the arts. Since its inception, the MQ Foundation has invested $40 million into research projects, which have in turn attracted an additional $58 million from various governmental and private sources.

As the MQ Foundation and Cleveland Clinic embark on this vital initiative, they illuminate a path forward in the pursuit of improved mental health for the younger generation, contributing to healthier and more resilient communities.