Depression Center Membership

The Depression Center welcomes membership applications from faculty, staff, and students of the University of Michigan, according to the following criteria and guidelines.

Membership Criteria

University of Michigan faculty contributing to research, education, clinical care, or public policy in the field of depression, bipolar, and related illnesses are encouraged to apply for Active or Associate membership of the University of Michigan Depression Center. Professional Staff and Members-In-Training who participate in and support Depression Center activities are also eligible for membership.

Application Process: Prospective members are asked to review membership criteria, benefits and responsibilities and then complete a simple online application form. Applications will be reviewed by the Membership Committee shortly after submission, and the applicant will be notified by email of the disposition.

GENERAL CRITERIA FOR MEMBERSHIP

Research, educational, clinical or public policy expertise of relevance to bipolar or depressive illnesses
A solid theoretical foundation in an area related to bipolar or depressive illnesses
Outstanding academic accomplishments or potential for such
Demonstrated support for interdisciplinary collaboration
Demonstrated interest in contributing to the mission of the Depression Center
Applications are also welcomed from administrative leaders and staff who oversee research, clinical and educational activities and/or support faculty members of the Depression Center.

ACTIVE FACULTY MEMBERSHIP

Faculty whose primary activities focus upon depression, bipolar illness, or a related mental health specialty (anxiety, substance abuse, mental health services, etc.), or those who are actively collaborating in relevant projects/studies/clinical activities, should consider applying for Active Faculty Membership. Active Members should have a primary academic appointment(s) in a University of Michigan department, and receive salary support from that department. Clinical revenue, as applicable, will remain within the member’s primary department. Grant dollars, as well as academic credit, remains within one of the member’s University departments.

Benefits of Active Faculty Membership:

Opportunity for multidisciplinary collaboration in clinical, educational and/or research activities
Opportunity to apply for pilot project funding for collaborative research initiatives
Assistance in reviewing projects and with grant submissions
Opportunity to teach, mentor and recruit undergraduate, postgraduate and medical students, as well as residents and fellows from various medical specialties
Access to large, diverse patient population(s) for approved research projects
Access to the Depression Center research, educational, and communications infrastructure, including screening, evaluation, data storage and management, electronic outcome monitoring, various research and clinical cores (Imaging, Genetics, M-DOCC, etc.), scientific writing, etc.
Ability to access Bioinformatics and web support
Participation in ongoing symposia, colloquia, and research conferences
Ability to post school/department depression-related material on the Depression Center website
Professional biosketch on Depression Center website
Optional participation in Depression Center Speakers’ Bureau
Eligibility to serve on relevant Center Boards and Committees
Recipient of electronic news briefs and other Center publications
Ability to submit proposals to Depression Center Leadership for potential external funding

Responsibilities of Active Faculty Members:

Active Faculty Members are expected to substantially participate in Depression Center activities. Although members will occasionally have overlapping professional and personal obligations, all are encouraged to attend or participate in program meetings such as Roundtables, the Colloquium Series, Depression on College Campuses Conference sessions, and the Bright Nights community education series, among other Depression Center-sponsored activities.

Applicants for Active membership will be assessed with respect to how their work furthers the core mission of the Depression Center in the one or more of the following areas:

detecting depression and bipolar illnesses earlier
treating them earlier and more effectively
preventing recurrences and progression
counteracting stigma
improving public policy

Specific efforts can include:

Tangibly contributing to the research, educational, clinical, and/or public policy mission of the Depression Center by (one or more of the following): serving on a Committee or leading a task force or participating on a DC-specific team; evidencing ongoing scholarly work such as current/active grant support or publication or press coverage in the last 12 months; conducting educational outreach or increasing public awareness; securing funding for collaborative initiatives; etc.
Suggesting opportunities to translate relevant research advances to Center operations
Attending and contributing to periodic meetings for the Depression Center
Responding to Depression Center inquiries as requested by Executive Director or Depression Center staff
Collaborating with members of other disciplines on Center initiatives
Communicating activities and opportunities associated with the Center to home department and school
Recruiting students from home department and school for participation in Center activities
Seek to enhance national and international visibility for the Center and to identify new, innovative research and entrepreneurial opportunities
Liaison with corporate and/or pharmaceutical partners when mutually desired

ASSOCIATE FACULTY MEMBERSHIP

Faculty who have a secondary interest in depression, bipolar illness, or related mental health specialty, or who are unable to participate at an Active Faculty level should consider applying for Associate Faculty Membership. Associate Members should have a primary academic appointment(s) in a University of Michigan department, and receive salary support from that department. Clinical revenue, as applicable, will remain within the member’s primary department. Grant dollars, as well as academic credit, remains within one of the member’s University departments.

Benefits of Associate Faculty Membership:

Opportunity for multi-disciplinary collaboration related to clinical, educational and/or research interests
Access to the Center’s educational experiences
Opportunities to be a collaborator or site director for Center research projects
Professional biosketch on Depression Center website
Recipient of electronic news briefs and other Center publication

Responsibilities of Associate Faculty Members:

Tangible contribution to the research, educational, clinical, and/or public policy mission of the Depression Center (one or more of the following): serving on a Committee or leading a task force or participating on a DC-specific team; evidence of ongoing scholarly work such as current/active grant support or publication or press coverage in the last 12 months; conducting educational outreach or increasing public awareness; securing funding for collaborative initiatives; etc.
Attendance at or participation in at least one (1) Depression Center meeting or selected educational function per year
Willingness to be contacted for participation in other Depression Center activities (research, educational, clinical, fundraising, etc.)

PROFESSIONAL STAFF AND MEMBERS-IN-TRAINING ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP

Professional Staff includes, among others, nurses, social workers, counselors, administrators, etc. Members-in-Training include students, post-docs, medical residents, anyone enrolled in University of Michigan training programs, etc.

Benefits of Professional Staff and M-I-T Membership:

Opportunity for multi-disciplinary collaboration related to clinical, educational and/or research interests
Access to the Center’s educational experiences
Biosketch on Depression Center website
Recipient of electronic news briefs and other Center publications
Opportunity for post-doctoral trainees, residents, and fellows who have Active Faculty sponsorship to apply to the Center’s Innovation Fund for funding for collaborative pilot research initiatives

Responsibilities of Professional Staff and M-I-T Members:

Tangible contribution to the research, educational, clinical, and/or public policy mission of the Depression Center (e.g. patient care, administration, education)
Attendance at or participation in at least one (1) Depression Center meeting or selected educational function per year (e.g. Roundtable, Colloquium, Bright Nights, etc.)
Willingness to be contacted for participation in other Depression Center activities (e.g. research, educational, clinical, fundraising)