Chancellor Block is has made it a campus priority to better understand and treat depression. (Amanda Friedman)
“In humans, brain science poses arguably the greatest challenge of any field in contemporary science.” – UCLA Chancellor Gene Block
Chancellor Block has supported Depression Grand Challenge efforts from the get-go. In a recent article featured by UCLA Newsroom, Chancellor Block described his personal interest in neuroscience and the amount that is still unknown. The lack of understanding about depression, which affects more than 300 million individuals, was a key factor in UCLA deciding to take on this Grand Challenge. He referenced the recent commitment to offer mental health screening and treatment to all incoming students via the Depression Grand Challenge student iCBT study.
“We began offering voluntary screening and treatment for depression to the entire incoming freshman class," he said. "We believe no other university has ever attempted anything of this type or on this scale. In the months and years to come, we will make these screenings available to the entire UCLA community.”
The Depression Grand Challenge screened more than 3,000 students for current mood disorder symptoms in 2017 alone. Chancellor Block is has made it a campus priority to stand against depression so that UCLA can address this big societal problem.
“This type of work is our duty as a public university, particularly one that emphasizes service and civic engagement with our community. Watching our students lean in to do their part in the Depression Grand Challenge makes me confident our work will continue well into the next generation. I have no doubt we are on the right path.”
Read more at UCLA Newsroom.
