News releases
July 2021
Early career award for neuroscience researcher Jason Smucny
July 30, 2021
Post-doctoral fellow Jason Smucny has received a prestigious Mentored Research Scientist Career Development Award from the National Institutes of Health. The award is designed to provide support and protected time for supervised career development. Smucny’s research will focus on computational psychiatry.
Simone Biles’ withdrawal at Olympics shines light on need to recognize mental health
July 28, 2021
Gymnast Simone Biles’ withdrawal from the team and all-around competitions at the Tokyo Olympics created shockwaves around the globe. Trauma expert Brandi Liles discusses the impact of stress and abuse, and the need to talk about mental health without stigma.
June 2021
UC Davis Health receives nearly $4 million to train mental health clinicians
June 25, 2021
UC Davis Health has been awarded a four-year, $3.9 million contract to provide training and technical assistance to programs in California aimed at identifying and treating people in the early stages of psychosis or a mood disorder.
New grants awarded for projects to improve mental health for Californians
June 21, 2021
UC Davis' Behavioral Health Center of Excellence has awarded three seed grants to help support new research efforts aimed at improving mental health in California.
Managing your re-entry anxiety
June 16, 2021
California lifted most of its COVID-19 restrictions, but many people are not ready to return to “normal.” Angela Drake, a clinical neuropsychologist, explains why we won’t change our behaviors overnight and provides tips for managing re-entry anxiety.
May 2021
Treatment provides brighter future for patient living with mental illness (video)
May 27, 2021
The UC Davis Early Psychosis Programs’ holistic approach to treating mental illness is featured in a moving new documentary short about Chris Ferrari, who received life-changing help from the clinic. The release is from One Mind, a leading brain health nonprofit.
Improving mental health focus of Xavier Becerra visit to UC Davis Health
May 20, 2021
Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra made a visit UC Davis Medical Center on Wednesday to tour the Early Psychosis Programs and meet with campus leadership and faculty. The programs are nationally recognized as a leading provider of early psychosis care.
April 2021
Huntington’s Disease Clinic celebrates 20 years as Center of Excellence
April 29, 2021
The UC Davis Huntington’s Disease Clinic, one of the nation’s largest, is celebrating 20 consecutive years as a Level 1 Center of Excellence. The Huntington’s Disease Society of America awards the prestigious designation.
MIND Institute study of anxiety in children with autism now includes online treatment
April 20, 2021
The UC Davis MIND Institute is now offering online treatment as part of its clinical trial known as the STAAR study. The trial will compare the effectiveness of the medication sertraline and cognitive behavioral therapy in treating anxiety in children with autism.
New test to study language development in youth with Down syndrome
April 8, 2021
A team led by UC Davis Health researchers tested and validated a new set of procedures for collecting, measuring and analyzing the spoken language of youth with Down syndrome in a naturalistic setting.
March 2021
Study finds adolescents with autism may engage neural control systems differently
March 12, 2021
UC Davis Health researchers studying executive control in adolescents and young adults with autism have published new research that suggests a unique approach, rather than impairment.
February 2021
American College of Psychiatrists honor Francis Lu with Distinguished Service Award, Helen Kales with research award
February 26, 2021
Two UC Davis psychiatrists were recently honored by the American College of Psychiatrists: Francis Lu for his outstanding achievements and leadership in the field, and Helen Kales for her contributions to geriatric psychiatry.
Bold new initiative helps address California’s shortage of mental health providers
February 24, 2021
UC Davis Health advanced practice providers work to address mental health disparities in California.
UC Davis School of Medicine scored a record year of NIH funding
February 23, 2021
In 2020, the UC Davis School of Medicine secured its highest-ever level of National Institutes of Health research funding at more than $181 million.
Fragile X premutation registry launches internationally (video)
February 3, 2021
The UC Davis MIND Institute and the National Fragile X Foundation have launched an international registry of people carrying the fragile X premutation. The goal is to facilitate and encourage research about the genetic condition to improve understanding and treatment.
January 2021
MIND Institute and psychiatry researcher receives ‘early career’ honor
January 11, 2021
UC Davis’ Angela John Thurman has received the Early Career Award from the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. The honor recognizes her considerable research contributions in the development of language, cognition and behavior.
Caring for your mental health in 2021: 10 tips
January 4, 2021
The new calendar year presents a great opportunity to refocus on our mental health, according to UC Davis Health experts. They offer 10 tips to help you better handle stress and find joy despite the stress of the coronavirus pandemic.
December 2020
Big brains and white matter: New clues about autism subtypes
December 17, 2020
Researchers found that a long-accepted theory about brain size in some children with autism may not be true. In a separate study, they linked development of white matter with changes in autism symptom severity.
Saying no to holiday gatherings during COVID-19 can be painful
December 16, 2020
New COVID-19 infections continue to explode and health officials warn that holiday gatherings can be dangerous and even deadly. But how do you tell people you love to stay away? Psychiatrist Shannon Suo has some answers.
Gestational age linked to ADHD in children with Down syndrome
December 4, 2020
A new study by the UC Davis MIND Institute finds a connection between gestational age and ADHD in children with Down syndrome. An earlier gestational age is linked to higher ADHD symptoms later in childhood.
Striving to improve care for people experiencing homelessness - locally and statewide
December 3, 2020
UC Davis Health clinical professor Angela Drake is taking part in a new learning community with providers, insurers and health systems throughout California. She’s also joined the Project Review Committee of Sacramento Steps Forward, a nonprofit addressing homelessness.
October 2020
For toddlers with autism, more intervention hours are not necessarily better
October 19, 2020
Two prominent early intervention models for toddlers with autism show a very similar impact, whether delivered at 15-hours or 25-hours per week intensities.
September 2020
COVID-19 is wrecking our sleep with coronasomnia – tips to fight back
September 23, 2020
COVID-19 may be causing a second pandemic of insomnia – or “coronasomnia.” Sleep experts offer tips to improve sleep and ease the stress.
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