Ann Vander Stoep

I am trained as a child psychiatric epidemiologist and view mental health through a public health lens. Depression and other mental health conditions are the most prominent contributors to disease burden in terms of years of life lost to disability worldwide. The onset of mental health conditions is typically during adolescence.

My research identifies social, economic, behavioral factors that contribute to child and adolescent mental health problems. I teach quantitative research methods to public health practice students at UW and to mental health research trainees at the University of Nairobi. I contribute to the development of school-based early intervention programs designed to support students who are experiencing emotional distress. In Malawi I have worked to raise awareness of child emotional health needs and to support community-based child psychosocial support programming.