2B-EPIC (Building Bridges toward Equity in Psychosis Intervention and Careers) aims to build a more racially, linguistically, and culturally diverse early psychosis workforce by providing paid mentorship and training opportunities for Black, Indigenous, and Latinx students to learn more about research and clinical careers specializing in working with youth experiencing early psychosis or signs of being at clinical high-risk for developing psychosis. 2B-EPIC is made possible through support from the MA Department of Mental Health.
What is 2B-EPIC?
Meet the 2B-EPIC Team!
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Dr. Kwame Dance
Program Director
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Dr. Michelle Friedman-Yakoobian
Program Director
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Vera A Muñiz-Saurré, CPS, MPH
Program Coordinator & Peer Advocate
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TaKaya McFarland
Clinical Research Student
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Joey Rodriguez
Clinical Research Student
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Jordyn Wingate
2B-EPIC Undergrad Intern
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Bella King-Harvey
2B-EPIC Undergrad Intern
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Olivia Helfrich-Tapia
2B-EPIC Undergrad Intern
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Melanie Maldonado
2B-EPIC Undergrad Intern
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Mia Gonzalez
2B-EPIC Highschool Intern
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Mychal Merritt
2B-EPIC Highschool Intern
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Paulina Gutierrez
2B-EPIC Highschool Intern
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Ella Carter-Fenster
2B-EPIC Undergrad Intern
The Building Bridges toward Equity in Psychosis Intervention and Careers (2B-EPIC) is a new initiative within the Response to Risk Research Program of the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center’s Department of Psychiatry (www.responsetorisk.org).
2B-EPIC is a 6-month, 20-40 hour per week paid internship program for motivated Black, Indigenous, and Latinx college students interested in contributing to and learning about specialized research, treatment, outreach, and prevention strategies for reaching youth at clinical high risk for developing psychosis. 2B-EPIC also offer a high school level paid internship that runs for 6 weeks.
The programs is an opportunity for students who are committed to increasing equity and access to culturally responsive, prevention-focused, specialty mental health services across Massachusetts and who are considering a research or clinical career in psychology, social work, counseling, nursing, or psychiatry. The program also gives highly motivated students the opportunity to continue working with Response to Risk after the 6-month/6-week internship period.
2B-EPIC’s New Film:
Student Scholarly Work in Action
2B-Epic interns have the unique opportunity to engage in mentored scholarly project presentations. Interns develop and propose a scholarly project of their choosing, complete with a literature review, data analysis, and a final presentation of findings at a department meeting.
Below are recordings of past scholarly project presentations:
Presentations on Educational Inclusivity and Psychosis: Understanding Barriers, Clinician Attitude, + Building Bridges and Assessing Barriers to Equitable Access of Clinical Care & Research Across Intersectional Social Identities
Presentations on Evaluating the Efficacy of Culturally Responsive Care in Psychosis for Black Americans and Perspectives on Hallucinations
What is 2B-EPIC?
Explore our latest video presentation on 2B-EPIC, which highlights the clinical significance of enhancing diversity, equity, and access within the early psychosis workforce. This video delves into the structural inequities and barriers to care, while showcasing new approaches in youth-led outreach and community education about early psychosis.
Apply to the 2B-EPIC Program Today!
If you’re a COLLEGE STUDENT…
Send an updated copy of your resume and cover letter to our team and if you have any questions, please reach out to our team!
Vera A. Muñiz-Saurré -they/them (vmunizsa@bidmc.harvard.edu)
TaKaya McFarland - she/her (tmcfarla@bidmc.harvard.edu)
Or if you’re a student at Northeastern University
Apply on the NUworks website
Make sure to check out the college-level internship job description!
If you’re a HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT…
Click the button below + fill out the attached form!
