Community Outreach

The Neurobehavioral Research Laboratory and Clinic (NRLC) is focused not just on research and treatment but on translating our findings for implementation in the community.

To this end we engage in four general domains of community outreach.

  1. Coordinate our research and treatment efforts with our community partners.
  2. Developing a Health Resource program to educate both parents and children about different areas of mental health.
  3. Providing educational programs targeted towards local schools and community groups.
  4. Creating opportunities for high school and undergraduate students to gain research experience.

If you are interested in having one of the members of our team present on a mental health topic, please contact the NRLC.

 

 

Public Health Education

 

Good Samaritan Community Services 2012

  • Drs. Mathias & Sheftall presented on classroom accomodations for children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, or Conduct Disorder to staff and families participating in Good Samaritan Community Services summer camp.

Max and Minnie Tomerlin Voelcker Biomedical Research Academy 2012

  • Dr. Mathias presented on information to high school sophomores in a 3 summer biomedical research training academy. 
    The topic of his talk was:  Biomedical Research on Suicide Prevention.

Pathways to Medicine 2012

  • Dr. Mathias presented on career pathways in medicine for to college freshmen from St. Mary's University.

United States Congress 2011

  • Dr. Dougherty participated in the American Psychological Association's Congressional meetings on mental health research and treatment issues pertinent to substance abuse.

Clarity Child Guidance Center 2011

  • Drs. Mathias and Sheftall conducted a CME/CEU training on suicide assessment and prevention practices to local community mental health providers.

Max and Minnie Tomerlin Voelcker Biomedical Research Academy 2011

  • Dr. Mathias presented on information to high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors in a summer biomedical research training academy.  The topic of his talk was:  BioPsychoSocial Assessment of Suicidal Behavior among Adolescents: The Role of Impulsivity, Stress, and Serotonin Function in the Expression of Self-Harm Behaviors of Teens.

University of Texas San Antonio, Department of Psychology Speaker Series 2011

  • Dr. Dougherty presented on the topic Conceptualization and Measurement of Impulsivity and its Relationship to Psychiatric Disorders.

San Antonio Family Endeavors 2011

  • Dr. Mathias conducted an in-service training for second-responders entitled Children in crisis situations: Orientation for second responders to large scale catastrophes.

Good Samaritan Community Services 2011

  • Dr. Mathias conducted a series of presentations on the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, and Conduct Disorder to staff and families participating in Good Samaritan Community Services summer camp.

Natural Health Magazine 2011

Medical News Now MDTV 2011

  • Dr. Mathias was interviewed by the local Fox affiliate on the topic of Depression and Anxiety in Women. 

Medical News Now MDTV 2010

  • Dr. Mathias was interviewed by the local Fox affiliate on the topic of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in children. 

NARSAD Healthy Minds across America 2010

  • Dr. Dougherty presented information about Risk Factors and Development of Drug Use Among Adolescents at the NARSAD Healthy Minds Across America conference in San Antonio. Healthy Minds across America is a national series of public education forums highlighting the latest breakthroughs in mental health research. Over 120 patients, patient advocates, and community mental health practioners were in attendance. Our three poster presentations were:
  • Dr. Ballesteros presented Treatment Research on Binge Alcohol Drinking
  • Sarah Farris presented Development of Impulse Control in At-Risk Youth
  • Amanda Lopez presented Treatment Outcomes in Hyperactive, Inattentive, and Aggressive Youth

Center for Health Care Services 2010

  • Dr. Dawes conducted a training on evidence-based practices, for screening, brief interventions, and referral of patients for additional treatment of alcohol and other drug problems. This presentation was to clinicians and administrators at the Center for Health Care Services.

Department of Psychiatry, UTHSCSA 2010

  • Dr. Dawes conducted a two-part grand rounds on evidence-based practices, for screening, brief interventions, and referral of patients for additional treatment of alcohol and other drug problems. This presentation was to interns, and psychiatry residents, fellows, and faculty.

Good Samaritan Community Services 2010

  • Dr. Mathias conducted a series of presentations on the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, and Conduct Disorder to staff and families participating in Good Samaritan Community Services summer camp.

 

Community Outreach

Max and Minnie Tomerlin Voelcker Biomedical Research Academy 2012

  • The NRLC hosted a high school student (Sergio Arambula ) from the Voelcker Academy in summer research rotations for research on adolescent developmental psychopathology, serotonin function, and development of impulse control.

National Institute on Drug Abuse Summer Research program 2012

  • The NRLC hosted a student (Prativa Upadhaya) from the University of Texas San Antonio to participate in a summer research education training program funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse.  Prativa worked on the NRLC project studying mechanisms of risk and resilience to adolescent development of drug use among an at-risk group of youth.

Max and Minnie Tomerlin Voelcker Biomedical Research Academy 2011

  • The NRLC hosted a college student (Cory Alcott) from the Voelcker Academy in summer research rotations on adolescent developmental psychopathology, substance use development, and bimolecular assays for their assessment.

National Institute on Drug Abuse Summer Research program 2011

  • The NRLC hosted a student (Jessica Gutierrez) from the University of Texas Pan American to participate in a summer research education training program funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse.  Jessica worked on the NRLC project studying mechanisms of risk and resilience to adolescent development of drug use among an at-risk group of youth.

Dow Jones Urban Journalism Boot Camp 2011

  • Dr. Mathias was interviewed by a rising journalism student on the topic of Teen drug abuse and drug abuse treatment published in the You S.A. www.theranger.org.

Alamo Regional Science and Engineering Fair 2011, 2012, & 2013

  • Dr. Sheftall and Cynthia Cornejo volunteered for the UTHSCSA Women's Faculty Association to rate scientific posters of high schooler's as part of the Alamo Regional Science and Engineering Fair.  This science fair has been developed to advance public understanding and appreciation of science, especially among young people and to increase opportunities for disadvantage youths and underrepresented groups in science and engineering.

Alamo Area Parkinson's Support Group AAPSG 2011 & 2012

  • Dr. Acheson serves on the advisory board of the Alamo Area Parkinson's Support Group, a chapter of the American Parkinson Disease Association.  The goal of the AAPSG is to provide education, outreach, and support programs for patients, their care partners, and the medical community to help ease the burden for people with Parkinson’s Disease.

 

Community Partners

We gratefully acknowledge our community partners for the ongoing exchange of ideas and clinical impressions that help guide the mission of the NRLC.

These partnerships provide a source of patient referral, continuing education, and inspiration.

 

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