Our team published a new study focused on addressing racism-based stress (RBS); the psychological impact of individual and structural racism. Using Intervention Mapping, a systematic framework for developing health interventions, and partnerships with community members, clinicians, and researchers we created Reconnect, a culturally responsive intervention designed to support healing from the emotional effects of anti-Black racism.

The intervention centers reconnection with self, family, community, and cultural history as pathways to healing. Reconnect integrates evidence-based approaches including psychoeducation, mindfulness, cognitive reappraisal, values-based living, and emotion processing. The study highlights the importance of community-engaged research and offers a model for developing culturally relevant mental health interventions that can be implemented in real-world settings.

Read the full publication to learn more: Highly partnered intervention mapping for the development of Reconnect, a clinical-community intervention for anti-Black racism-based stress

The BETTER Collaborative research team recently published a study examining strategies to improve equity and access to research participation among forcibly displaced migrants. The study explored common barriers that can limit participation in health research, including language access, informed consent processes, technology literacy, and participant reimbursement. The research team identified practical approaches to creating more inclusive and accessible research experiences for migrant participants. The study emphasizes the importance of centering participant perspectives and provides recommendations for researchers seeking to engage immigrant and refugee communities more effectively.

These findings contribute to ongoing efforts to strengthen equity in health research and ensure that the voices and experiences of diverse migrant populations are represented in scholarship and practice.

Read the full article: Addressing Barriers To Forcibly Displaced Migrants’ Participation in Research

The BETTER Collaborative was selected for a competitive consultation project with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF; i.e., Doctors Without Borders). The project aims were to support a comprehensive review of long-term mental health and psychosocial support services. The project focused on identifying lessons learned, documenting program evolution, and generating recommendations to inform future service delivery and organizational learning.

We are honored to contribute to efforts that strengthen access to high-quality mental health care in humanitarian settings.