Welcome to the Institute for Behavioral Health

Constance Horgan

Since the Heller School began, both faculty and students have studied mental and substance use disorders. Formalized in 2003, IBH focuses on the intersection of health, behavior, and systems of care, with an emphasis on their linkages. Its underlying premise is that these systems can be better used to promote healthier lifestyles and assist individuals to engage in behaviors which lead to better health.

Our focus is broadening to include other issues that are affected by behaviors which can be targeted by interventions and have an impact on health and wellness. In addition to studying systems of care, we investigate health outcomes that are associated with behaviors, and also develop and test methods to evaluate the effects of behaviors on health.

We consider a variety of systems of care, including health care delivery, as well as criminal justice, education, social services, housing, military and the workplace.

We hope that you find this site useful as you learn more about our research staff and our activities in behavioral health.

Constance M. Horgan, ScD, Founding Director

IBH Activities

Sharon Reif

New Director of the Institute for Behavioral Health (IBH)

Sharon Reif, PhD., 02' appointed Director of IBH
Robert Dunigan, PhD'04

5 yr SAMHSA grant awarded to Robert Dunigan (PI) and team

A collaboration with Detroit Recovery Project, Inc.
Mary Brolin

New contract in partnership with Eagle Technologies

U.S. Department of HHS Task Force on Maternal Mental Health launched May 2024

Task force formed in response to directive from Congress

Special communication in JAMA Health Forum - research proposes policy & clinical ...

Keywords: health policy, mental health, intellectual or developmental disabilities
Joanne Nicholson in Zinner Forum

Joanne Nicholson & colleagues publish in Frontiers in Psychiatry

Keywords: parents, mental ill health, substance (mis)use.

Connect with us at upcoming conferences

AMERSA 48th Annual Conference

November 14-16, 2025
Chicago, IL

Graphic with words Grand Ole Opry Nashville

Rx and Illicit Drug Summit

April 21-24, 2025 
Nashville, TN

View of mountains in Colorado

American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM)

April 24-27, 2025  
Denver, CO