Brett is a senior research scientist in the Public Health department at NORC. Brett brings 14 years of experience in behavioral health with a focus on substance use and suicide prevention, early intervention, and treatment and expertise in training, technical assistance, research, and evaluation. At NORC, she leads a suicide prevention portfolio funded by SAMHSA, CDC, and private foundations and organizations and is involved in Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) for substance misuse and co-morbid depression, anxiety, and suicide risk.
Prior to her role at NORC, Brett was director of public health initiatives for the Suicide Prevention Center of New York, a public health affiliate of the New York State Office of Mental Health, where she oversaw initiatives related to communities, schools, colleges and universities, implementation of Zero Suicide, and the relationship between substance use and suicide; wrote, obtained, and directed federal and private foundation grants; and built and supervised a staff of seven. Prior to her role in suicide prevention, Brett developed, implemented, and evaluated SBIRT projects for various populations and service settings with the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports.
Brett is President of the New York Public Health Association (NYSPHA), the New York State Affiliate of the American Public Health Association (APHA); she was originally elected to the Board of Directors in 2018. In her tenure as President, Brett spearheaded a New Directions Initiative to make the association more membership-driven and started a new committee to engage members in public health practice, taking on critical public health issues including suicide prevention, the opioid crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, and reproductive rights. As a result of these efforts, NYSPHA was named 2023 Outstanding Affiliate of the Year by the APHA Council of Affiliates. Brett also maintains a part-time position as Clinical Associate Professor at the University at Albany School of Public Health where she developed and teaches a course on suicide prevention and provides internships for graduate-level public health students.
Brett has authored or co-authored 20 peer-reviewed publications. Her work has appeared in Preventive Medicine, Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, Journal of School Health, Journal of Behavioral Health Services and Research, and Substance Abuse, among others. In addition, Brett was selected for APHA’s Mental Health Section Award and Council of Affiliates Award of Excellence in 2023, PoliticsNY’s Power Players in Health Care in 2022 and 2023, and the de Beaumont Foundation’s inaugural list of 40 Under 40 in Public Health in 2019.
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Education
DrPH
University at Albany School of Public Health
MPH
University at Albany School of Public Health
BS
Cornell University
Appointments & Affiliations
President
New York State Public Health Association (NYSPHA)
Board of Directors
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Capital Region New York Chapter
Clinical Associate Professor
University at Albany School of Public Health
Honors & Awards
Mental Health Section Award | 2023
American Public Health Association
Council of Affiliates Award for Excellence | 2023
American Public Health Association
Council of Affiliates Outstanding Affiliate of the Year | 2023
American Public Health Association
New York Power Players in Health Care | 2022 and 2023
PoliticsNY
40 Under 40 Public Health Leaders | 2019
de Beaumont Foundation
Center for Climate, Health, and Equity Excellence in Climate Leadership Award | 2023
American Public Health Association
Project Contributions
Mental Health Resources for LGBTQIA2S+ Community
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LGBTQIA2S+ Focus Guide for School Professionals
Project Report | October 23, 2023
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LGBTQIA2S+ Focus Guide for Health & Behavioral Health Professionals
Project Report | October 23, 2023
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Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention for LGBTQIA2S+ Youth
Project Report | October 23, 2023
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LGBTQIA2S+ Focus Guide for State Agencies
Project Report | October 23, 2023
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LGBTQIA2S+ Focus Guide for Parents, Families, and Communities
Project Report | October 23, 2023
Publications
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opens in new tab“Communication and Support as Suicide Prevention for LGBTQIA2S + Youth: Perspectives of Professionals, Parents, and Youth”
Journal Article | July 13, 2024
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opens in new tabCommunity Collaboration for Suicide and Overdose Prevention: Attitudes, Perceptions, and Practices of Community-Based Professionals and County Leadership in New York State
Journal Article | February 19, 2024
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opens in new tabHelplines for mental health support: Perspectives of New York State college students and implications for promotion and implementation of 988
Journal Article | June 22, 2023
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opens in new tabMental health in rural New York: Findings and implications of a listening tour with residents and professionals
Working Paper | December 31, 2022
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opens in new tabIn their own voice: Behavioral health care delivery barriers in rural New York
Journal Article | December 31, 2022
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opens in new tabStudent-athlete mental health, help-seeking, and service utilization: Implications for a multi-tiered, public health approach on college campuses
Journal Article | August 7, 2022
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opens in new tab"Optimizing Efforts to Promote Mental Health on College and University Campuses: Recommendations to Facilitate Usage of Services, Resources, and Supports."
Journal Article | January 27, 2022
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opens in new tab"Upstream Prevention of Opioid Misuse in School-Based Health Centers: Provider Attitudes, Perceptions, and Practice."
Journal Article | June 17, 2021