Mental health

America's mental health crisis can only be addressed through innovative, interdisciplinary approaches—the kind that are being developed at Notre Dame.

Rear view of a person in a light green “mental health matters” t-shirt, holding a clipboard on a sunny day at Notre Dame. The Word of Life mural and Hesburgh Library are in the background. Close-up of several colorful sticky notes on a dark, reflective surface. A yellow note in focus reads “I can do it!” with a smiley face. Other pink, blue, and yellow notes are visible. ALT

Article

A tidal wave of pills

Notre Dame economists help determine how to remediate the opioid crisis

A bridge spans a river

Article

Fighting to combat America's mental health crisis

Notre Dame is building a new clinic to advance research, education, and clinical care to address mental health issues

A young man with curly dark hair and a tan suit jacket looks directly at the viewer, standing before a dark blue background displaying a glowing brain scan and digital medical data.
  • A woman in a blue shirt and black skirt gestures as she presents to a classroom of students.

    Article

    Fighting to combat the opioid crisis

    Computer Science professor Fanny Ye is utilizing AI to dismantle the digital networks used by drug traffickers to distribute lethal synthetic substances. By identifying unique digital signatures across social media and the dark web, her research provides law enforcement with tools to combat the national drug crisis.

  • A gloved hand holding a sample of fentanyl in a test tube.

    Article

    Taking her science to the streets

    A Notre Dame chemist decided to let the local community’s needs drive her scientific process and found herself in the fight against illicit drugs.

  2. Jennifer Burke Lefever, a smiling woman in a navy blazer and tan pants stands with crossed arms before a construction site. The multi-story building features blue sheathing, light brick, scaffolding, and an orange excavator behind a fence.

    News

    Mental Health Initiative leader driven by personal experience to serve others

    Jennifer Burke Lefever has worked her entire career in the field of child psychology. Yet, nothing compares to being a parent who needs resources for their own child. That personal experience is what drives her passion as she transitions from managing director of the Shaw Family Center for Children and...

  3. Four men in suits, smiling, stand against a dark purple backdrop featuring the 'United Against Online Abuse' logo. From left, a man in a blue suit, one in a gray plaid blazer, one in a dark suit with a red tie, and one in a dark suit with a blue tie.

    News

    University of Notre Dame and FIA team up to reduce online abuse in sports

    The University of Notre Dame has announced a research collaboration with the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile to lead an initiative addressing the rising threat of online abuse in sports. As the governing body for world motor sport and the federation for mobility organizations globally, the FIA champions safety and fairness —...

  4. Two women and a boy sit around a table looking at papers and stickers. A teddy bear with a device sits on the table next to the woman in blue.

    Article

    Testing emotional resiliency

    Graduate psychology student Katie Edler aims to improve mental health.

  5. A young Black boy in a red sweater plays with yellow and red toy blocks from a black bin.

    Article

    The forest and the trees

    Notre Dame research provides complementary angles on childhood adversity

  6. A woman with shoulder-length brown hair and glasses sits in a gray chair in front of bookshelves. She wears a navy blue suit jacket over a light blue v-neck shirt and a gold chain necklace. She is posed with her hands resting on the arms of the chair.

    Podcast

    The future of mental health care with Notre Dame's Sarah Mustillo

    In this episode of Notre Dame Stories, we go deep on a topic featured in the University’s award-winning series, “What Would You Fight For?” In an in-depth conversation, Sarah Mustillo discusses the bold University initiative around mental health. She talks about her own research into childhood trauma, and how it helps to inform her approach. Later, we also chat with Austin Wyman, a Notre Dame doctoral student. Austin has his own personal story of how he became interested in studying quantitative psychology. Learn about the University’s commitment to combat America’s mental health crisis.

  7. A woman with long brown hair wearing a bright blue v-neck sweater sits at a table.

    Video

    ND:30 - Kristin Valentino

    Psychologist Kristin Valentino studies memory among children abused or neglected and develops interventions to help them better cope with their emotions.

  9. Main Building and Dome

    News

    Notre Dame partners to grow Indiana’s mental health workforce

    The University of Notre Dame is part of a statewide effort to address the mental health workforce shortage. In partnership with WISE Indiana, the University is contracted to help enhance the recruitment, retention and quality of Indiana’s behavioral health workforce. 

  11. Headshots of two smiling women. On the left is Kristin Valentino, presenting as a woman with long brown hair wears a bright blue v-neck top. On the right is Laura Miller-Graff presenting as a woman with long, lighter brown hair wears a gray blazer.

    News

    New leaders named at Veldman Family Psychology Clinic and Shaw Center for Children and Families

Discover and engage
  1. The bronze sculpture Desert Rose by Arnaldo Pomodoro is placed at the center of the ecological greenhouse at the Gardens of Castel Gandolfo. The curved glass structure—covered with solar panels—frames the work within a light-filled, sustainable environment. Stone pathways and carefully trimmed hedges unfold beneath a canopy of Mediterranean pines.

    Article

    Sowing seeds of hope: Vatican partnership advances global sustainability

    The collaboration supports research, education, and action to build a more just, sustainable future.

  2. Broadly smiling woman with dark hair in a navy jacket with gold buttons, arms crossed, in front of bookshelves.

    Podcast

    What happened to the American family?

    The American family has changed dramatically over the past four decades, raising urgent questions about marriage, economic stability, and child well-being.

  3. Statue of Sacred Heart of Jesus, two lit candles, surrounded by worn black and brown shoes and scattered red tokens on wood.

    Article

    A saint of our own?

    The humble piety of Notre Dame cobbler Brother Columba inspires a canonization push.

  4. Golden Dome and Basilica of the Sacred Heart silhouetted against a red and orange sunset, reflected in a Notre Dame lake.

    Photo Essay

    A model March

    Semester in full swing, snow, sun, fun, madness, and mulch.

  5. Congregation and clergy gather at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart with a purple banner and white-draped coffin.

    Photo Essay

    Remembrance and appreciation

    Lou Holtz, 1937–2026

  6. Smiling man with gray hair wearing a navy blazer, light blue dress shirt, and blue striped tie with orange accents, seated in a conference room with artwork and a monitor visible in the blurred background.

    Article

    A dignity movement

    2026 Laetare Medalist Timothy Shriver

  7. Smiling older man with short gray hair wearing a gray blazer and light blue shirt, set against a deep blue background overlaid with colorful financial candlestick chart graphics in teal, pink, and red.

    Podcast

    How do you measure success?

    Mendoza professor Joe Holt joins Jenna Liberto to talk purpose-driven goals, meaningful work, and redefining success.

  8. Students and three priests in white vestments gather for a night mass around a lit snow chapel and altar, snow-covered Sorin Hall in background.

    Photo Essay

    Between winter and spring

    The month in photos, February 2026

  9. Side-by-side black and white portraits. On the left, a man with wavy hair and a patterned blazer is shown in a grainy halftone style. On the right, Father Theodore Hesburgh, C.S.C., in a clerical collar, looks thoughtfully to the left.

    Article

    The press vs. the power

    Observer founder Robert Sam Anson had a contentious yet strong relationship with ND President Father Hesburgh.