Department Newsletters
Department News

Laurel Williams receives a $4 million SAMHSA Award for The Next Day Project
Congratulations to Dr. Laurel Williams for receiving a $4 million SAMHSA Award for The Next Day Project. This project involves Drs. Eric Storch, Kirti Saxena and Karin Price working together with our partners at Texas Children’s Hospital to help address suicidality in youth in the Houston area.

Dr. Shah receives $5 million donation from the Valour Foundation
Dr. Asim Shah was recently gifted a $5 million donation from The Valour Foundation. This donation will go towards adding a new unit at Ben Taub and other projects that will significantly benefit the Houston area.

Dr. Pershern appointed to the AADPRT executive council
Dr. Lindsey Pershern was recently appointed to serve as Membership Committee Chair on the Executive Council for the American Association of Directors of Psychiatry Residency Training (AADPRT).

Dr. James Lomax has been appointed to the Baylor College of Medicine Board of Trustees. Dr. Lomax will serve as an ex officio member, representing the College’s Alumni Association.

Dr. Averill named co-director of ELIPSIS
Dr. Lynnette Astrid Averill, has recently been named as the co-director of the ELIPSIS program. The Ethical Legal Implications of Psychedelics in Society (ELIPSIS) program was founded by the Center for Medical Ethics and Health at Baylor College of Medicine, focusing on ethical and policy issues related to psychedelic research.

Dr. Saunders receives Norton Fulbright Educational Grant
Dr. John James Saunders received the Norton Rose Fulbright Educational Grant Fund for the grant proposal “Community Collaboration for Creation of Mental Health Curriculum to Decrease Mental Health Stigma".
In the News
- Sept. 7, 2023 - Real Simple
7 Sneaky Ways Extreme Heat Can Mess with Your Body and Mind - Sept. 1, 2023 - BCM Policywise
Are we over-or-under-diagnosing ADHD? - Aug. 7, 2023 - FOX-26
- FDA Approves First Pill for Post Partum Depression
- Aug. 3, 2023 - KHOU
Managing Menopause in the Summer - Aug. 2, 2023 - Community Impact
Q&A: Student mental health discussion with Texas Child Mental Health Consortium - Aug. 1, 2023 - Texas Monthly
Think Seasonal Affective Disorder is a Thing? Try Living Through Texas Summer - July 27 - Houston Landing
You’re not imagining it. Houston’s heat wave is affecting our mental health - July 27 - HealthDay
Extreme Heat Can Take Toll on People Battling Mental Health Issues - July 19 - NIH
Congressional Briefing Highlights Groundbreaking BRAIN Initiative Research - July 18 - UPI
Common prescription drugs could cause depression as side effect - July 18 - The Hill
Living with long-term cancer is depressing. Texas doctors say psychedelics could help - June 26 - FOX-26
The Silent Killer: Depression - March 20, 2023 - U.S. News and World Reports
When Gambling Becomes an Addiction - March 7, 2023 - Houston Public Media
Houston Psychiatrists Return from Visits to Syria and Turkey - March 4, 2023 - KPRC Ch. 2
Dr. Banu and Dr. Albaba: Humanitarian Trip to Turkey/Syria - Feb. 27, 2023 - Houston Chronicle
Texas Leaders Work to Expand Program Offering Free Virtual Therapy to Schools - Feb. 21, 2023 - Texas Tribune:
Texas’ Shortage of Mental Health Professionals is Getting Worse - Jan. 22, 2023 - Health Day:
Be Realistic. It’s Key to Achieving Those New Year’s Resolutions - Jan. 18, 2023 - Houston Chronicle:
Most People Abandon Their New Year’s Resolution. Houston Psychologists Offer Tips for Success