Press Releases

DU faculty work with Aurora Mental Health
Psychologists work to treat and research adolescent depression

November 18 , 2009, Denver, CO – Two University of Denver professors are teaming up to see if what they’ve discovered in their research will work in the real world of a community mental health clinic.

Psychology Professor Stephen Shirk has been developing effective methods for treating depression in adolescents at DU for years. Anne DePrince, associate professor of psychology at DU, has done extensive research on the effects of violence and trauma.

Now the two are combining their research and collaborating with Aurora Mental Health.

"We are getting the benefit of innovative new treatment ideas by working together with the University of Denver," says Chris Beasley, deputy director of Outpatient Services for Aurora Mental Health.

With a grant from the National Institute for Mental Health (NIMH), Shirk and DePrince will study 60 teenagers over a three-year period. The teens have all experienced a previous trauma in their lives and are suffering from depression.

"How we deliver effective treatment for kids is critical," Shirk says. "We have a heart-felt desire to reduce their suffering and the family’s suffering."

DePrince meets weekly with clinicians to collaborate on the treatment techniques that will be used. In April, the clinicians will start treating the teenagers and testing the new treatment.

"I’m excited about the chance to develop a treatment in collaboration with Aurora Mental Health in hopes we can have a bigger impact faster, rather than research that starts first in the University and later moves to the community," DePrince says.

Aurora Mental Health is a non-profit center that provides a wide variety of therapy options to patients at one of their eight locations. Founded in 1975, the center saw 11,000 unique clients last year.

"Depression is a huge problem," Beasley says. "By intervening early and treating someone during adolescence it allows them to have a higher quality of life."

According to NIMH, depression is the second leading cause of disability world-wide.

-30- About University of Denver

The University of Denver (www.du.edu), the oldest private university in the Rocky Mountain region, enrolls approximately 11,409 students in its undergraduate and graduate programs. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Denver as a Research University with high research activity.

About Aurora Mental Health Center

The Aurora Mental Health Center is a 501 (c) 3 corporation. Currently more than 400 regular employees, 50 interns and 80 volunteers provide services to more than 11,000 people annually. Services are provided by 16 specialty clinics, located in eight counseling and specialized service centers, six residential facilities, public schools, two county departments of human services, in home and foster homes, and at other community locations. For more information, visit www.aumhc.org or call 303.617.2300.