Dr. Pauline Maki featured on ABC’s Good Morning America
Dr. Pauline Maki was featured on ABC’s Good Morning America, along with actress Halle Berry to discuss what women should know about the stages and symptoms of menopause.
https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/wellness/video/doctors-answer-questions-menopause-112854598
The UICDR’s Dr. Anand Kumar authored opinion pieces for STAT magazine.
What’s going on in Joe Biden’s brain?
https://www.statnews.com/2024/08/20/joe-biden-dnc-chicago-presidential-debate-dementia-delirium/
CNN debate moderators could provide the cognitive tests that Biden and Trump have been avoiding
https://www.statnews.com/2024/06/25/biden-trump-presidential-debate-as-cognitive-test/
Dr. Alex Leow received extensive media coverage with stories on her research on mental health apps and virtual therapy
UIC doctor develops app to detect mental illness just by using a smartphone
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/uic-doctor-develops-app-to-detect-mental-illness/
Can Your Phone Detect Mental Illness? UIC Prof’s New App Like A Fitness Tracker For Your Brain
Apps Put a Psychiatrist in Your Pocket
https://spectrum.ieee.org/mood-tracker
Dr. Liza Suarez is featured in an article in Discover Magazine. Dr. Suarez discusses how living in a large metropolitan city can impact your mental health.
UIC’s menopause research and Dr. Pauline Maki recognized by the White House
First Lady Jill Biden, actress Halle Berry visit Chicago discuss women’s health, menopause
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/jill-biden-halle-berry-uic-womens-health/
UICDR national OP-ED pieces
The UICDR’s Dr. Anand Kumar authored opinion pieces for various national news media outlets including The Hill and STAT.
Should treatment for severe mental illness include medical assistance in dying?
Palliative psychiatry offers a new path for some people with serious mental illness
Dr. Tory Eisenlohr-Moul is featured in the Chicago Tribune
Menstrual cycles can affect day-to-day suicide risk, UIC study finds
The App Helping Provide Mental Healthcare
Dr. Alex Leow discusses BiAffect, the mental health smartphone app on Block Club Chicago’s On The Block show.
https://www.wciu.com/cw26/videos/the-app-helping-provide-mental-healthcare
Dr. Pauline Maki is featured in stories for the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. She discusses menopausal symptoms are linked to dementia, and perimenopause brain fog.
How Menopause Changes the Brain
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/21/well/mind/menopause-dementia-risk-estrogen.html
For Women, Midlife Brain Fog Is Real. Here’s Why.
Depression rates reach new highs
Dr. Sally Weinstein was a featured guest of CBS News Chicago. Dr. Weinstein discussed the continued long-term mental health impacts of the pandemic.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=017ahJYhGB4
The UIDR’s Dr. Anand Kumar authored two widely distributed op-ed pieces for the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Sun-Times addressing the intersection of ageism, brain cognition and politics.
Age alone shouldn’t determine who runs for political office
People have a right to know if aging politicians are physically, mentally fit
‘Falling through the cracks’: Why ADHD is under-diagnosed among Asian Americans
UIC's Department of Psychiatry's Dr. Christine Lee and Dr. Niranjan Karnik discussed with STAT News the impact of racial disparities in the diagnosis of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder among Asian Americans, and how Asian children are much less likely to receive ADHD diagnosis/treatment.
https://www.statnews.com/2023/06/19/adhd-asian-americans-underdiagnosis-research/
Sage hopes for a blockbuster in fast-acting antidepressant now before FDA
Dr. Olusola Ajilore is featured in an article from STAT News discussing the FDA’s pending approval for the first oral treatment in the United States specifically for postpartum depression,
https://www.statnews.com/2023/07/31/sage-zuranolone-antidepressant-fda/
Zuckerberg Is Helping to Propel Chicago’s Biotech Ambitions
Dr. Alex Leow is featured in a story in Bloomberg News as part of a consortium of Chicago scientist efforts to convince Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan’s desire build their first biomedical research hub outside San Francisco.
Dr. Pauline Maki is featured in stories for the New York Times and CNN. She offers her expertise and weighs in on a new study that suggests a link between hormone treatments for menopause to an increase of dementia risk.
HRT use by younger women linked to dementia, study says. Experts disagree
https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/28/health/hrt-dementia-risk-wellness/index.html
Do Hormone Treatments for Menopause Increase Dementia Risk?
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/10/well/live/hormone-therapy-menopause-dementia-alzheimers.html
For Women, Midlife Brain Fog Is Real. Here's Why
Dr. Pauline Maki and her research are featured in the Wall Street Journal. The article explores the symptom of “brain fog” for women during perimenopause.
How to Help Someone with Depression
In an article from Wondermind, Dr. Sally Weinstein discusses and offers guidance to how people can support loved ones with depression.
https://www.wondermind.com/article/how-to-help-someone-with-depression/
Does the public’s right to know trump a politician’s right to medical privacy?
An op-ed published in The Hill by the UICDR’s Dr. Anand Kumar addressing the highly debated issue of the mental capacity of politicians, the impact on their ability to serve, and balancing the public’s right to know with their right to medical privacy.
Dr. Olu Ajilore has been appointed to serve as member for the National Advisory Mental Health Council
Dr. Mark Rasenick is awarded an Anna-Monika Foundation prize for depression research
UIC Program Aims to Support Mental Health of Medical Students
WTTW-TV’s Chicago Tonight featured the UIC College of Medicine Student Resiliency Center, interviewing Dr. Jenna Duffecy, the Center Director and Nirali Chauhan, a second year medical student and member of UIC’s Student Wellness and Resilience Committee.
They discussed the struggles of medical students due to pressure, stress and exhaustion, and giving students the tools they need to be effective in managing their mental health.
How Effective Are Anti-Depressants?
Dr. Mark Rasenick was featured on Newsy's prime-time talk show "The Why" discussing the debate surrounding the effectiveness of antidepressants.
https://www.newsy.com/stories/how-effective-are-anti-depressants/
Why do we get sad in the wintertime? It's in our biology
Sally Weinstein was featured on various media outlets including CBS News, WGN News and Wondermind, to discuss the impact of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/seasonal-affective-disorder-wintertime/
https://wgntv.com/news/wgn-news-now/3-ways-to-combat-seasonal-affective-disorder/
https://www.wondermind.com/article/seasonal-depression/
Babies Might Trigger Brain Changes in New Dads
In an article from US News and World Report, Dr. Alex Leow discusses how Babies Might Trigger Brain Changes in New Dads
The Toll Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder Takes
Dr. Tory Eisenlohr-Moul discusses the toll Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder takes, and new research that found an elevated risk for suicide for people who suffer from PMDD, on WNYC’s Brian Lehrer Show.
https://www.wnyc.org/story/toll-premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-takes/
Building Resiliency Early
Comcast Newsmakers features Dr. Jenna Duffecy and the UIC College of Medicine Student Resiliency Center. Dr. Duffecy discussed the struggles of medical students due to pressure, stress and exhaustion, and giving students the tools they need to be effective in managing their mental health.
https://comcastnewsmakers.com/Videos/2022/4/13/Building-Resiliency-Early
How effective are mental health apps and online therapy?
Dr. Alex Leow was a featured guest on the WBEZ (NPR) show Reset. She discussed the boom in mental health apps and virtual therapy. She also discussed BiAffect, the mental health smartphone app developed by researchers in UIC’s Departments of Psychiatry and Engineering, that can help predict and monitor manic and depressive mental health episodes.
The Toll Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder Takes
Dr. Tory Eisenlohr-Moul is featured on WNYC’s Brian Lehrer Show. Dr. Eisenlohr-Moul discussed new research that found an elevated risk for suicide for people who suffer from Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD).
https://www.wnyc.org/story/toll-premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-takes/
Their PMS mood swings were terrible. It was actually PMDD
An estimated 5.5 percent of menstruating people suffer from Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD). Dr. Tory Eisenlohr-Moul is featured in an article from the Washington Post that examines the symptoms, misdiagnosis, and journey of those who’ve experienced PMDD and how their experiences highlight the stigmatization inherent in women’s health, and particularly menstruation.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2022/08/24/pmdd-mood-swings-pms/
Expediency v efficacy: Reexamining the FDA’s accelerated drug approval process
A timely op-ed from The Hill, written by the UIDR’s Dr. Anand Kumar. The piece examines why the FDA’s Accelerated Drug-Approval Process, which is intended to speed access to promising treatments, is in dire need for revising and improving policies related to drug development, as not to compromise the nation’s economy and health.
Schools must prepare to do more to stop teen suicide, bullying
An op-ed addressing the devastating outcomes of bullying among adolescents leading to suicide and mental abuse, and how we can protect our youth from the impact of bullying. Written by the UIDR’s Dr. Sally Weinstein and Dr. Anand Kumar
Treating depression: A breakthrough in the blood
Dr. Mark Rasenick, received extended national and international media coverage for his research in having identified a biomarker in human platelets that tracks the extent of depression.
https://wgntv.com/news/medical-watch/treating-depression-a-breakthrough-in-the-blood/
UICDR doctors create Sunnyside for Moms app to detect depression in new mothers of color
The UICDR’s Dr. Jenna Duffecy and Dr. Pauline Maki were featured on ABC News (Chicago). They discussed Sunnyside for Moms, their innovative app/program that helps identify, manage, and treat postpartum depression in women who face barriers to traditional therapy.
https://abc7chicago.com/university-of-illinois-at-chicago-uic-sunnyside-for-moms-app/11577819/
A Closer Look At Mental Health And Its Affects In African American Communities
Dr. Olusola Ajilore discusses the impact of stigmatizing mental health in African American communities, its far-reaching effects, and solutions with CBS News (Chicago).
Mental health check-in: 2 years after Illinois’ first COVID case
Dr. Anand Kumar discusses how after two years the pandemic has affected our mental health and what we can do about it on The 21st Show (NPR radio).
https://will.illinois.edu/21stshow/story/reality-check-2-years-after-illinois-first-covid-case
Apple Is Working on iPhone Features to Help Detect Depression, Cognitive Decline
BiAffect is featured in a Wall Street Journal article on emerging technology’s ability to help diagnose depression and cognitive decline.
Enduring seasonal depression
Dr. Sally Weinstein is interviewed on The 21st Show (National Public Radio), to discuss the mental health impact of seasonal affective disorder.
https://will.illinois.edu/21stshow/story/enduring-seasonal-depression
Bringing attention to Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)
Dr. Tory Eisenlohr-Moul is featured on The Lisa Show. Dr. Eisenlohr-Moul discussed the often-misunderstood disorder of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder, and how to support those with it.
https://www.byuradio.org/d58e3961-26eb-47cc-b089-3997ede30a69
The future of telemedicine in treating depression
Dr. Olusola Ajilore was featured in Healio. Dr. Ajilore discusses role of telemedicine in treating depression, and the future of technology for depression treatment.
Dr. Ajilore also discussed the types of patients who are most likely to be diagnosed with depression and the types who are most frequently missed; the role family history plays in diagnosis and treatment; the racial and gender disparities that exist in diagnosis; and more.
https://www.healio.com/news/psychiatry/resources/hot-topics-in-depression/patient-selection
UICDR national OP-ED pieces The UICDR’s Dr. Anand Kumar and Dr. Sally Weinstein authored opinion pieces for various national news media outlets including the MedPage Today and the Orlando Sentinel.
An Age-Old Tool for Suicide Prevention
Social connection as the first line of defense for suicide prevention is addressed as an op-ed from Dr. Anand Kumar and Dr. Sally Weinstein.
https://www.medpagetoday.com/opinion/second-opinions/95622?trw=no
For Alzheimer’s research, it’s time for disruptive innovation
A timely op-ed from Dr. Anand Kumar addressing the need for disruptive innovation as the new plan of attack to combat Alzheimer’s Disease.
The dawn of tappigraphy: does your smartphone know how you feel before you do?
BiAffect is featured in an article in the Guardian about how tech companies are seeking to analyze data on the way we tap, scroll, text and call to monitor our mental health
Dr. Julie Carbray was a guest on the “Behind Our Door” podcast. She discussed resources available to families and the best approach to suspected mood disorders in children and adolescents.
Behind Our Door focuses on real life conversations about mental health across every stage of life.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2WWfEi1uiAXoy9ii7g0Uy4?si=eBuQxPIXRueL9pBvz_F9_w&nd=1
UICDR Chicago Tribune OP-ED
The UICDR's Dr. Anand Kumar and Dr. Sally Weinstein authored an opinion piece on suicide prevention awareness. "Keys to preventing suicide? Openness, understanding and compassion".
Sunnyside for Moms is featured in various media outlets
The UICDR's Dr. Jenna Duffecy and Dr. Pauline Maki are featured in various news media outlets including the Chicago Tribune, FOX32 Chicago and WBEZ. They discussed Sunnyside for Moms, their innovative app/program that helps identify, manage, and treat postpartum depression in women who face barriers to traditional therapy.
Sunnyside for Moms seeks to intervene before postpartum depression escalates
New app aims to empower women of color who are facing postpartum depression, mental health disorders
https://www.fox32chicago.com/video/941513
Chicago Innovators: Psychologists Create App To Screen Pregnant Women Of Color For Depression
UICDR national OP-ED pieces
The UICDR's Dr. Anand Kumar and Dr. Sally Weinstein authored opinion pieces for various national news media outlets including the Chicago Tribune, the Baltimore Sun and the New York Daily News.
Op-ed: Stop expecting athletes to ‘power through’ with disregard for mental health
New Alzheimer’s drug is not the disease solution we seek; here’s why
Who is responsible for ensuring that Americans receive only safe and effective drugs?
TedTalk: The State of Health features Dr. Leow
Dr Alex Leow gave a TedTalk on tracking the fitness of your brain. She also discussed BiAffect, the innovative mental health smartphone app that monitors mood and how it impacts cognition. Click here to view the video.
Post-Election Stress Not Going Away Anytime Soon, Mental Health Experts Say
Dr. Anand Kumar was interviewed by NBC5 News Chicago to discuss how the delayed results of the November 2020 elections could cause higher anxiety and stress levels, and how it could impact one’s mental health. Click here to view the video.
Federal funding and vaccines
Dr. Mark Rasenick, Distinguished UIC Professor and Associate Director of the UICDR was featured in the Chicago Tribune’s “Voice of the People” section. Dr. Rasenick authored an opinion on how federal funding creates the foundation for vaccine development. Click here for the story.
Mental Health of Black Americans during the Pandemic
Social unrest and COVID pandemic is leading to surges of anxiety and depression in Black communities. Black Americans already face health disparities, but added pressure from the pandemic and social unrest is compounding stress for many. Dr. Olusola Ajilore was featured on CBS National News to talk about what needs to be done to better support Black communities across the U.S. Click here to view the video.
Black mental health patients hit hard by COVID-19 and social injustice
Health disparities were prevalent in the Black community before COVID-19. But now with the pandemic hitting Black communities extremely hard and the added stressor of social injustice, the issue of Black mental health has come to the forefront.
Dr. Olusola Ajilore was interviewed by the Chicago Tribune to discuss this issue, and how historically underserved Black patients are seeking out therapy, especially with professionals who share their background. Click here for the story.
Reading Your Digital Signature to Detect Depression
BiAffect, the mental health smartphone app developed by researchers in UIC’s Departments of Psychiatry and Engineering is featured in a Freethink magazine article that explores digital phenotyping. The app's ability to help predict and monitor manic and depressive mental health episodes, is cited as a creative solution to address gaps in mental health diagnosis and support. Click here to read the story.
UIC Receives $5.9M To Study Mood Disorders, Cognition
WBBM Newsradio featured a story on the University of Illinois Chicago receiving a $5.9 million grant from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) for two studies that will use cognition data to predict relapses in mood disorders. Click here to read the story.
Destigmatizing mental health treatment this holiday season
Many people can experience feelings of isolation, depression and anxiety during the holiday season. Cultural and societal stigmas such as, seeking help is a sign of weakness, serve as barriers for people to seek treatment.
Dr. Olusola Ajilore was interviewed by the Chicago Tribune to discuss managing your mental health during the holidays, destigmatizing the issue of seeking mental health treatment, and bringing the discussion of mental health out of the dark. Click here to read the story.
Tips for Dealing with Seasonal Affective Disorder
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a form of depression that's linked to the change of seasons that strikes during the colder months, and affects about 10 million Americans a year. The UICDR’s Associate Director Dr. Sally Weinstein was interviewed by the news wire service Public News Service and WILL-AM’s The 21st Show to discuss the symptoms and impact of SAD, and offer tips and treatments to combat SAD.
Click here to read the Public News Service story
Click here to listen to The 21st Show broadcast
A Fitbit for Your Brain
The UICDR-Digital Mental Health Initiative’s development of artificial intelligence apps are revolutionizing the digital mental health industry, empowering patients and addressing the nation’s mental health crisis.
Dr. Alex Leow and Dr. Olusola Ajilore were interviewed by Block Club Chicago to discuss how their teams of researchers are improving access to mental health treatment with innovative, smart connected technology. Click here to read the story.
Dr. Olusola Ajilore and Dr. Anand Kumar featured on Comcast Newsmakers
Dr. Ajilore was interviewed on achieving mental health equity through technology, and the UICDR’s Digital Mental Health Initiative. Dr. Kumar was interviewed on combating depression, and removing the stigma surrounding mental illness, and the impact of the UICDR.
Dr. Kumar:
https://uifightdepression.psych.uic.edu/node/2755
Dr. Ajilore
https://uifightdepression.psych.uic.edu/node/2757
Dr. Tory Eisenlohr-Moul featured in the Chicago Tribune
Dr. Tory Eisenlohr-Moul was featured in a Chicago Tribune story about her study on how stabilizing certain hormones that fluctuate over the menstrual cycle in women at risk for suicide can keep suicidal thoughts at bay.
Dr. Sally Weinstein featured in Reuters, Psych Central and Public News Service
Dr. Sally Weinstein’s “Family Chaos and Asthma Control” study published in “Pediatrics,” the official journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, received extensive media coverage, including Reuters and Psych Central. The study explores how chaotic household as well as child and parent depression are risk factors for worse asthma outcomes.
BiAffect featured in the Wall Street Journal
The Wall Street Journal published a story on BiAffect, the phone app designed to predict and monitor manic and depressive episodes. Dr. Alex Leow and Dr. Olusola Ajilore, of the UI Center on Depression and Resilience were featured in the article to discuss technology that can reliably track brain and mental health, and the role and impact digital health and artificial intelligence will play in transforming healthcare.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/can-typos-give-insight-into-your-mental-health-1539270001
Dr. Heide Klumpp featured in Science Trends
Dr. Klumpp authored the article “Attentional Control Brain-Behavioral Relationships In Anxiety And Depression”. The story explores the impact of undue interference from negative and other salient distractors on the capacity to process such information.
Dr. Olusola Ajilore interviewed by Healio
Healio, a health and education media outlet for healthcare specialists, conducted a Q&A interview with Dr. Olusola Ajilore, of the UI Center on Depression and Resilience. Dr. Ajilore discussed how smartphone technology may have the potential to provide global, cost-effective and evidence-based mental health services quickly and easily.