As I reflect on the achievements of the past and the exciting opportunities that lie before us in the Center for Public Policy and Health (CPPH), I am filled with pride and anticipation.
Over the past several years, we have promoted and supported mental health not only at 5X社区, but also in our communities throughout northeast Ohio. Thanks to the Garret Lee Smith (GLS) Campus Suicide Prevention grant, more than 11,000 Kent State students, faculty, and staff participated in mental health awareness trainings (MHATs). We also have partnered with organizations and agencies across the State, to inform and prevent substance abuse and expand treatment services in our communities.
Looking forward, the Center continues to expand interdisciplinary research efforts to include funded projects with Kent State researchers in biology, computer science, nursing, sociology, and educational technology. I am proud to announce that we are part of an innovative study that will test the feasibility of a blood test to assess suicide risk. Through another groundbreaking project that integrates online social media and offline geospatial data, the Center is working to monitor substance use in real time and will support community agencies in the three different counties in developing prevention initiatives.
In addition, as we continue seeking ways to expand our reach and make meaningful impacts across the state and beyond, the Center is now offering its expertise and resources to assist with biostatistical and research design consulting. These services add to our longstanding program evaluation, needs assessment and improvement planning efforts, such as the Community Health Assessment we just concluded in Miami County (Ohio).
I want to thank everyone who contributed to the Center鈥檚 success so far. From the students who assisted us to the community partners that trusted us, from our outstanding faculty to our dedicated staff, including the Center鈥檚 newest addition: Diana Patel. I am confident that we will continue to make significant strides in public health, working towards a healthier and more equitable future for everyone.
Deric Kenne, Ph.D.
Director, Center for Public Policy and Health