Advancing Mental Health Equity
By Office of the President | Jun 2, 2026
Michael Reinhardt, M.D., MEHP
A new video that debuted at the American Psychiatric Association (APA) 2026 Annual Meeting in California highlights how Downstate’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences is improving mental healthcare in Central Brooklyn while helping shape the future of behavioral health research, care, and education.
The video highlights a diverse group of Downstate faculty physicians, researchers, and educators whose work spans clinical care, psychiatric genomics, substance use research, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia care, artificial intelligence, and workforce development. These efforts reflect Downstate’s strong and ongoing commitment to reducing health disparities and expanding access to high-quality mental health services, particularly in underserved communities.
This dynamic work aligns with a broader vision within psychiatry, emphasizing innovation, collaboration, and equity. It also reflects the American Psychiatric Association’s strategic focus on advancing clinical excellence, supporting its members, and strengthening the field’s role in addressing critical public health challenges.
Michael Reinhardt, M.D., MEHP, Chair of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, and Associate Professor of Psychiatry, discusses the department’s mission to improve mental health outcomes through clinical care, research, and education. Faculty leaders such as Daniel Friedman, M.D., Vice Chair of Psychiatry and Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, highlighted the department’s care in practice with programs such as the Brooklyn Initiative to Develop Geriatrics Education (BRIDGE), and the Center of Excellence for Alzheimer’s Disease (CEAD), which provide specialized services and support for older adults and their families.
The video also highlights nationally recognized research at Downstate, featuring investigators working across several cutting-edge areas. These include psychiatric genomics and the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism (COGA), presented by Bernice Porjesz, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry and Director of the Henri Begleiter Neurodynamics Lab, alongside Jacquelyn Meyers, Ph.D., Vice Chair for Research and Associate Professor. Additional work focuses on traumatic stress and depression, as well as artificial intelligence–driven mental health tools designed to support clinicians and first responders, as described by Salvador Dura-Bernal, Ph.D, Director of the Global Center for AI in Mental Health. Research Professors Tim Bidgeli, Ph.D., Acting Director of the Institute for Genomics in Health, and Roseann Peterson, Ph.D., Visiting Associate Professor, also showcase innovative genomic research.
In addition to highlighting scientific discovery, the video demonstrates Downstate’s commitment to educating future mental health professionals. Students, residents, and fellows work alongside faculty mentors in clinical, research, and community settings, learning how to deliver culturally responsive, patient-centered care.
Presented before a national audience of psychiatrists, researchers, and healthcare leaders at APA 2026, the video showcases Downstate’s unique approach to psychiatry, combining community engagement, innovative research, and compassionate care to improve mental health outcomes.
I was honored to participate in this project and reflect on the importance of the work taking place in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. The video reflects the dedication of our faculty, researchers, clinicians, trainees, and staff who are advancing mental health care while addressing some of the most pressing behavioral health challenges facing our communities. It serves as a powerful reminder that Downstate continues to lead through innovation, collaboration, and a steadfast commitment to improving lives.
I also want to thank Kino Williams, PsyD, MS, PHR, CPHQ, C‑TAGME, LSSWB, Department Administrator, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, whose leadership and coordination of the production ensured that this important story was shared with a national audience. His efforts helped showcase the extraordinary work of our psychiatry faculty and trainees, as well as the collective commitment to excellence that distinguishes Downstate as a leader in mental health care, education, and research.