Dr. Karen Schwartz, an assistant professor of Psychology, joined the University in fall 2025 and is making an immediate impact. 

A researcher focused on depression and suicide prevention in youth and families, Schwartz recently shared her work at the Developing and Researching Advanced Models of Integrated Primary Care (DreamIPC) Conference, held Sept. 17-19, in Wilmington, Del.

“Depression and suicide are unfortunately quite prevalent and impactful, particularly in the wake of COVID,” she said. “We have psychosocial treatments for them, but the effectiveness rates aren’t where we’d like them to be. Prevention programs have been shown to work well, are cost-effective, and can disrupt patterns of long-term hardship, making their development and implementation a key step in promoting mental health. 

“Run by Nemours Children’s Health, the conference brings together pediatric primary care providers and researchers to discuss novel medical and behavioral health practices that can enhance integrated care,” she explained. 

Schwartz led a symposium entitled “Screening and Prevention of Depression and Suicide in Pediatric Primary Care,” which provided a brief introduction about depression and suicide, followed by three expert talks. During her talk, Schwartz reported on the findings from a pilot study she conducted informing the development of a brief, parent-facing intervention for caregivers of teens who screen positive for suicide risk during primary care well visits.

“Findings overwhelmingly supported the creation and dissemination of a parent-facing program, with particular interest in content that covered emotional support for caregivers, education on adolescence and mental health concerns, and communication skills,” she said. 

In her role at Arcadia, Schwartz is teaching an undergraduate Psychology course, PY212 (Developmental Psychology), and two courses in the Master of Arts in Counseling program this semester, PY572 (Concepts of Mental Health/Mental Illness) and PY640 (Treatment of Childhood Internalizing Disorders). She is excited to make teaching a more prominent professional focus while she continues to engage in research and serve the community directly through her private practice.

“The Counseling program was the perfect opportunity to marry my interest in teaching with my clinical and research expertise in lifespan interventions work,” she said.

In terms of research, Schwartz aims to look for ways to apply her parent-facing model to support the Arcadia community.

“I am excited to use my pilot findings to further develop a parent-facing program or workshop for caregivers of incoming first-year students,” she said. “My hope is that such a program would align nicely with our JEDI initiatives to promote wellness and prevent depression in our community.”

Schwartz urges any faculty members or students interested in this type of project to contact her.

If you or someone you know is struggling with depression and/or suicidal thoughts, 988 is available 24/7, and Counseling Services can be reached at 215-572-2967, by emailing counselingservices@arcadia.edu, or by walk-in at Heinz Hall, room #38. For after-hours emergencies, contact Public Safety at 215-572-2999.