WELCOME


to the New School Global Mental Health Lab in the Department of Psychology at the New School for Social Research.



The New School Global Mental Health Lab is broadly interested in how traumatic stress impacts mental health and to develop and test new ways to foster resilience and reduce psychological distress in trauma-exposed communities. 

Much of our work is carried out through local and international partnerships with mental health researchers, practitioners, and organizations. 

A variety of approaches are used in our lab, including lab-based behavioral and brain imaging studies, digital and online assessments, and the evaluation of potential therapeutic strategies to aid in the prevention and treatment of PTSD and other stress-related disorders.

If you are interested in working with us or would like to learn more about our work, please contact us.

In addition to research, the New School Global Mental Health Lab is developing a Global Mental Health graduate program at the New School and we will be providing a wide range of class room-based and field-work opportunities to develop skills in this field.





LAB RESEARCH

We are currently carrying out lab-based studies examining changes in cognition, emotion, and decision making in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. A key line of this research aims to better understand of how trauma and stress impacts memory, self-appraisals, future thinking. We are also using findings from cognitive neuroscience to develop and test new strategies to help reduce the negative impacts of traumatic stress.
REFUGEE MENTAL HEALTH


A number of studies are being conducted to better understand the impact of migration and displacement on mental health in refugees in low and high resource settings. We are also evaluating the efficacy of psycho-social and occupational interventions to reduce stress-related disorders in refugees.
RISK AND RESILIENCE IN
HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS


There is growing recognition that Human Rights Defenders, Activists, and NGO staff are routinely exposed to direct and secondary trauma and may be at risk for high levels of mental health issues. Through collaborations with international agencies, human rights law clinics as well as international and local grass roots groups, we are developing and implementing tools for organizations and individuals to help sustain the work and well-being of defenders.