USF College of Public Health’s (COPH) Dr. Rita DeBate has been appointed as the research and evaluation advisor to Active Minds for the upcoming academic year.

Active Minds is the nation’s premier nonprofit organization supporting mental health awareness and education for young adults. They are dedicated to saving lives and to building stronger families and communities.

Through education, research, advocacy and a focus on young adults ages 14–25, Active Minds focuses on opening up the conversation about mental health and creating lasting change in the way mental health is talked about, cared for and valued in the United States.

DeBate, professor and director of the USF Center for Translational Research in College Health and Well-Being, will be working with the Active Minds leadership and research and evaluation staff to assist with overall research and evaluation strategic plans and initiatives. She’ll also be assisting with the development and implementation of evaluations for their current programs, such as their peer-to-peer mental health literacy program called Validate, Appreciate, Refer (VAR) and working with the team on manuscripts and grant submissions.

Prompted by the lack of mental health awareness and education for young adults, Debate was eager to take on this role.

“Mental health is public health! Yet, unfortunately, the second- and third-leading cause of death for youth ages 10-24 in the U.S. is suicide. Moreover, most mental health issues such as depression and anxiety begin in adolescence and early adulthood and are major contributors to the burden of disease among young people,” she said. “To that end, I couldn’t think of a better organization to work with that aligns with my passion and research skills.”

Debate shared that she is most looking forward to being a thought partner in mental health research and practice initiatives for youth and young adults.

“I am honored to work alongside a team of passionate and dedicated individuals who have a shared vision to change the culture around mental health and whose organizational values include authenticity, community empowerment, bold innovation and equitable and justice- driven action,” DeBate said.

Story by Caitlin Keough, USF College of Public Health