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WHAT:
Institute for the Study of Human Resilience

WHERE:
Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
Boston University
940 Commonwealth Avenue West
Boston, Massachusetts 02215
617-353-3549 (ph)
617-353-7700 (fx)

WHEN:
Founded Jan 1st, 2001

WHO:
Professor Courtenay M. Harding, Director | see bio
Executive Director, Institute for the Study of Human Resilience

Patricia E. Deegan, Ph.D. | see bio
Senior Director, Joshua Tree Center for Ex-Patient Studies | see info

HOW:
With support from Boston University and the Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation with future funding from other private and public sources.

VISION:
People facing significant life challenges (such as serious illness, trauma, disability, or disadvantage) are resilient and can significantly improve the healing process when they have access to knowledge, self-help resources, skilled professionals, sustaining environments, and social justice.

MISSION:
To accomplish the Institute's vision through rigorous research, practical application of findings, and the sharing of information with such persons, their families, helping professions, and policy makers.

GOALS:

• Create a Center of Research Excellence
  
• Build a Diverse and Inclusive Learning Community
  
• Target Studies of Resilience, Recovery & Rehabilitation
  
• Interweave Existing Literature Across Disciplines and Sources
  
• Employ a Biopsychosocial & Spiritual Approach
  
• Explore the Lived Experience of Consumers & Families
  
• Provide Multidisciplinary Training
  
• Integrate Both Quantitative & Qualitative Strategies
  
• Add Solid Theoretical Bases to Empirically-Derived Practices
  
• Build on Empirically-derived Practices to Inform Theory
  
• Introduce More Recovery-based Best Practice Models
• Create More Recovery-oriented Self-Help Tools
  
• Conduct Policy Analyses & Recommend Public Initiatives
  
• Incorporate Lessons from History into Future Social Policy
  
• Disseminate New Knowledge via Multimedia Approaches