Andrew Devendorf, PhD
@andrewdevendorf.bsky.social
Clinical Psychologist| Postdoctoral Fellow| Studies suicide, depression, stigma, & lived experience| Psychology Today Blog, “Deeper Mental Health”
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Excited to share my 1st big grant was funded!!
The 2-year, $100,000 project will make me a Collaborating Scholar with University of Washington's Suicide Care Research Center.
Our aim is to co-design an intervention that equips Veteran loved ones with suicide intervention tools.
Abstract ⬇️
The 2-year, $100,000 project will make me a Collaborating Scholar with University of Washington's Suicide Care Research Center.
Our aim is to co-design an intervention that equips Veteran loved ones with suicide intervention tools.
Abstract ⬇️
How do you help someone through a suicidal crisis?
Sometimes, giving our loved ones joy & connection can give them enough time to reset.
Think of joy as an emotional fire extinguisher. It's not a long-term fix, but it can help someone live another day.
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/deep...
Sometimes, giving our loved ones joy & connection can give them enough time to reset.
Think of joy as an emotional fire extinguisher. It's not a long-term fix, but it can help someone live another day.
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/deep...
The Power of Joy in Suicide Prevention
How can you help someone who is in a suicidal crisis? What is the role of joy in suicide prevention?
www.psychologytoday.com
October 8, 2025 at 8:15 PM
How do you help someone through a suicidal crisis?
Sometimes, giving our loved ones joy & connection can give them enough time to reset.
Think of joy as an emotional fire extinguisher. It's not a long-term fix, but it can help someone live another day.
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/deep...
Sometimes, giving our loved ones joy & connection can give them enough time to reset.
Think of joy as an emotional fire extinguisher. It's not a long-term fix, but it can help someone live another day.
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/deep...
I passed the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP)!
This means I’m 95% of the way toward practicing as an independent psychologist.
Soon, I will launch my new practice & start taking clients…more info to come.
For now, here’s new headshot :)
Happy 4th of July, everyone!
This means I’m 95% of the way toward practicing as an independent psychologist.
Soon, I will launch my new practice & start taking clients…more info to come.
For now, here’s new headshot :)
Happy 4th of July, everyone!
July 3, 2025 at 5:08 PM
I passed the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP)!
This means I’m 95% of the way toward practicing as an independent psychologist.
Soon, I will launch my new practice & start taking clients…more info to come.
For now, here’s new headshot :)
Happy 4th of July, everyone!
This means I’m 95% of the way toward practicing as an independent psychologist.
Soon, I will launch my new practice & start taking clients…more info to come.
For now, here’s new headshot :)
Happy 4th of July, everyone!
This is censorship of science & academic freedom.
And it is terrifying…
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
And it is terrifying…
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Exclusive: US veterans agency orders scientists not to publish in journals without clearance
Move that seeks political control of doctors’ and scientists’ published research fits a pattern of censorship by the Trump administration, veterans advocates say
www.theguardian.com
June 3, 2025 at 4:13 PM
This is censorship of science & academic freedom.
And it is terrifying…
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
And it is terrifying…
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
We all want to end mental health stigma, but what does “stigma” even mean?
In my latest piece, I get honest about my concerns for 3-word phrases that lack depth and specificity.
“We cannot “end the stigma” if we do not know what “stigma” is.”
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/deep...
In my latest piece, I get honest about my concerns for 3-word phrases that lack depth and specificity.
“We cannot “end the stigma” if we do not know what “stigma” is.”
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/deep...
What Does “End the Stigma” Even Mean?
Many advocates want to reduce stigma. But is it effective to say "end the stigma?"
www.psychologytoday.com
May 27, 2025 at 3:40 PM
We all want to end mental health stigma, but what does “stigma” even mean?
In my latest piece, I get honest about my concerns for 3-word phrases that lack depth and specificity.
“We cannot “end the stigma” if we do not know what “stigma” is.”
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/deep...
In my latest piece, I get honest about my concerns for 3-word phrases that lack depth and specificity.
“We cannot “end the stigma” if we do not know what “stigma” is.”
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/deep...
Reposted by Andrew Devendorf, PhD
There is a path for us to beat this attack on science:
- Beat the reconciliation bill in Congress, which locks in many of the illegal DOGE actions.
- Get NIH grants employees back to work.
- Beat the rescission effort in Congress this summer.
- In 2026, fight to restore the NIH/NSF budget.
🧪1/
- Beat the reconciliation bill in Congress, which locks in many of the illegal DOGE actions.
- Get NIH grants employees back to work.
- Beat the rescission effort in Congress this summer.
- In 2026, fight to restore the NIH/NSF budget.
🧪1/
NSF Physics was cut by 85%, basically wiping out most of its capacity for supporting research.
NSF Astronomy was cut by 53%
Undergrad education was cut by 71% and research on learning by 79%
Graduate education was cut by 100% to ZERO.
#GiftLink ⚛️🔭
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
NSF Astronomy was cut by 53%
Undergrad education was cut by 71% and research on learning by 79%
Graduate education was cut by 100% to ZERO.
#GiftLink ⚛️🔭
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Trump Has Cut Science Funding to Its Lowest Level in Decades (Gift Article)
The lag in funding extends far beyond D.E.I. initiatives, affecting almost every area of science: chemistry, computing, engineering, materials and more.
www.nytimes.com
May 22, 2025 at 4:45 PM
There is a path for us to beat this attack on science:
- Beat the reconciliation bill in Congress, which locks in many of the illegal DOGE actions.
- Get NIH grants employees back to work.
- Beat the rescission effort in Congress this summer.
- In 2026, fight to restore the NIH/NSF budget.
🧪1/
- Beat the reconciliation bill in Congress, which locks in many of the illegal DOGE actions.
- Get NIH grants employees back to work.
- Beat the rescission effort in Congress this summer.
- In 2026, fight to restore the NIH/NSF budget.
🧪1/
Reposted by Andrew Devendorf, PhD
Today I lost an NIH grant training clinicians to do research about intimate partner violence with perinatal women.
More women are murdered in the perinatal period than die of obstetric complications.
I didn't just lose a grant. We lost an entire cohort of people building careers to prevent that.
More women are murdered in the perinatal period than die of obstetric complications.
I didn't just lose a grant. We lost an entire cohort of people building careers to prevent that.
March 22, 2025 at 12:19 AM
Today I lost an NIH grant training clinicians to do research about intimate partner violence with perinatal women.
More women are murdered in the perinatal period than die of obstetric complications.
I didn't just lose a grant. We lost an entire cohort of people building careers to prevent that.
More women are murdered in the perinatal period than die of obstetric complications.
I didn't just lose a grant. We lost an entire cohort of people building careers to prevent that.
I really appreciate when a Reviewer engages with a submitted article & devotes their expertise to this unpaid service…and…
…a 1700 word review is *a lot* to respond to…
My reframe is that it’s better to have a more engaged review than someone who barely read the paper
…a 1700 word review is *a lot* to respond to…
My reframe is that it’s better to have a more engaged review than someone who barely read the paper
May 1, 2025 at 6:28 PM
I really appreciate when a Reviewer engages with a submitted article & devotes their expertise to this unpaid service…and…
…a 1700 word review is *a lot* to respond to…
My reframe is that it’s better to have a more engaged review than someone who barely read the paper
…a 1700 word review is *a lot* to respond to…
My reframe is that it’s better to have a more engaged review than someone who barely read the paper
Last week, I presented a poster at the Suicide Research Symposium on the VA’s high-risk flag system.
The procedure is aimed to help providers identify Veterans who are at a high risk of suicide.
Our team did a quality improvement study to learn providers’ views on the process.
Check it out!
The procedure is aimed to help providers identify Veterans who are at a high risk of suicide.
Our team did a quality improvement study to learn providers’ views on the process.
Check it out!
April 29, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Last week, I presented a poster at the Suicide Research Symposium on the VA’s high-risk flag system.
The procedure is aimed to help providers identify Veterans who are at a high risk of suicide.
Our team did a quality improvement study to learn providers’ views on the process.
Check it out!
The procedure is aimed to help providers identify Veterans who are at a high risk of suicide.
Our team did a quality improvement study to learn providers’ views on the process.
Check it out!
Our research on academic mental health was featured again — this time by University of California, Berkeley!
This story blends the personal with the science to highlight how Dragonfly Mental Health is at the forefront of reducing stigma in graduate departments.
news.berkeley.edu/2025/04/21/a...
This story blends the personal with the science to highlight how Dragonfly Mental Health is at the forefront of reducing stigma in graduate departments.
news.berkeley.edu/2025/04/21/a...
A spate of suicides drew this alumna back to UC Berkeley to confront mental health issues in academia - Berkeley News
Encouraged by Wendy Ingram, a 2014 Berkeley Ph.D. recipient, eminent faculty members shared their experiences with depression and anxiety to help bring these struggles into the open.
news.berkeley.edu
April 22, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Our research on academic mental health was featured again — this time by University of California, Berkeley!
This story blends the personal with the science to highlight how Dragonfly Mental Health is at the forefront of reducing stigma in graduate departments.
news.berkeley.edu/2025/04/21/a...
This story blends the personal with the science to highlight how Dragonfly Mental Health is at the forefront of reducing stigma in graduate departments.
news.berkeley.edu/2025/04/21/a...
Really honored to see our research study featured in Nature Magazine.
We assessed the Dragonfly Mental Health program, which aims to increase MH awareness & reduce stigma in academics.
95% of attendees felt the program reduced stigma.
Check it out!
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
We assessed the Dragonfly Mental Health program, which aims to increase MH awareness & reduce stigma in academics.
95% of attendees felt the program reduced stigma.
Check it out!
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
A mental-health crisis plagues PhDs — these evidence-led initiatives offer help
Communities of researchers worldwide are taking on the toxic research cultures that drive poor psychological health among academics.
www.nature.com
April 18, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Really honored to see our research study featured in Nature Magazine.
We assessed the Dragonfly Mental Health program, which aims to increase MH awareness & reduce stigma in academics.
95% of attendees felt the program reduced stigma.
Check it out!
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
We assessed the Dragonfly Mental Health program, which aims to increase MH awareness & reduce stigma in academics.
95% of attendees felt the program reduced stigma.
Check it out!
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
This is a damaging move for US science — cutting 50% of National Science Foundation (NSF) fellowships.
These grants are used to attract, train & support some of the best young scientists.
Cutting this funding is a terrible investment.
www.science.org/content/arti...
These grants are used to attract, train & support some of the best young scientists.
Cutting this funding is a terrible investment.
www.science.org/content/arti...
www.science.org
April 9, 2025 at 4:41 AM
This is a damaging move for US science — cutting 50% of National Science Foundation (NSF) fellowships.
These grants are used to attract, train & support some of the best young scientists.
Cutting this funding is a terrible investment.
www.science.org/content/arti...
These grants are used to attract, train & support some of the best young scientists.
Cutting this funding is a terrible investment.
www.science.org/content/arti...
When research funding is being cut, it’s crazy that journals still expect academics to review articles for free.
When scientists lose their jobs, what is the incentive to keep reviewing papers?
When scientists lose their jobs, what is the incentive to keep reviewing papers?
March 16, 2025 at 7:33 PM
When research funding is being cut, it’s crazy that journals still expect academics to review articles for free.
When scientists lose their jobs, what is the incentive to keep reviewing papers?
When scientists lose their jobs, what is the incentive to keep reviewing papers?
I proudly attended the Stand Up for Science rally.
The most compelling speech came from a pediatric cancer doctor…
He noted that, for many cancers, NIH-funded science has improved survival outcomes for child patients from 15% to 80%.
Science saves lives.
We must save science ✊
The most compelling speech came from a pediatric cancer doctor…
He noted that, for many cancers, NIH-funded science has improved survival outcomes for child patients from 15% to 80%.
Science saves lives.
We must save science ✊
March 9, 2025 at 9:03 PM
I proudly attended the Stand Up for Science rally.
The most compelling speech came from a pediatric cancer doctor…
He noted that, for many cancers, NIH-funded science has improved survival outcomes for child patients from 15% to 80%.
Science saves lives.
We must save science ✊
The most compelling speech came from a pediatric cancer doctor…
He noted that, for many cancers, NIH-funded science has improved survival outcomes for child patients from 15% to 80%.
Science saves lives.
We must save science ✊
Reposted by Andrew Devendorf, PhD
We'll post more on this in the future, but for now just sharing the devastating news that >90% of USAID contracts have been cut, including those for HIV medications, food kitchens, etc.
People WILL die as a result.
www.npr.org/sections/goa...
People WILL die as a result.
www.npr.org/sections/goa...
The Trump administration kills nearly all USAID programs
The Trump administration is terminating thousands of foreign assistance grants and awards, according to a court filing. The move effectively guts the six-decade-old agency.
www.npr.org
February 27, 2025 at 6:25 PM
We'll post more on this in the future, but for now just sharing the devastating news that >90% of USAID contracts have been cut, including those for HIV medications, food kitchens, etc.
People WILL die as a result.
www.npr.org/sections/goa...
People WILL die as a result.
www.npr.org/sections/goa...
The Trump Administration’s cuts to VA staff & research budget is threatening my and others’ research, where I hope to develop a suicide intervention for Veterans.
I also do not feel safe at my job, despite being a psychologist.
Don’t you believe Veterans—our heroes—deserve the best health care?
I also do not feel safe at my job, despite being a psychologist.
Don’t you believe Veterans—our heroes—deserve the best health care?
February 28, 2025 at 3:14 AM
The Trump Administration’s cuts to VA staff & research budget is threatening my and others’ research, where I hope to develop a suicide intervention for Veterans.
I also do not feel safe at my job, despite being a psychologist.
Don’t you believe Veterans—our heroes—deserve the best health care?
I also do not feel safe at my job, despite being a psychologist.
Don’t you believe Veterans—our heroes—deserve the best health care?
I’ll say confidently that today’s email debacle wasted millions of dollars in tax payer money d/t lost labor.
Workers were confused, stressed, & refreshing emails constantly.
Calculate the time spent on this task x the # of federal employees x their hourly pay…
100s of millions, gone 💰
Workers were confused, stressed, & refreshing emails constantly.
Calculate the time spent on this task x the # of federal employees x their hourly pay…
100s of millions, gone 💰
February 25, 2025 at 1:43 AM
I’ll say confidently that today’s email debacle wasted millions of dollars in tax payer money d/t lost labor.
Workers were confused, stressed, & refreshing emails constantly.
Calculate the time spent on this task x the # of federal employees x their hourly pay…
100s of millions, gone 💰
Workers were confused, stressed, & refreshing emails constantly.
Calculate the time spent on this task x the # of federal employees x their hourly pay…
100s of millions, gone 💰
Reposted by Andrew Devendorf, PhD
Almost all grant-review meetings under Trump 2.0 remain suspended at the US National Institutes of Health (NIH), preventing the world’s largest public funder of biomedical research from spending much of its US$47 billion annual budget.
https://go.nature.com/4gM6oW4
https://go.nature.com/4gM6oW4
Revealed: NIH research grants still frozen despite lawsuits challenging Trump order
The Trump administration is exploiting a loophole to keep a funding freeze in place, leaving researchers in limbo.
go.nature.com
February 20, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Almost all grant-review meetings under Trump 2.0 remain suspended at the US National Institutes of Health (NIH), preventing the world’s largest public funder of biomedical research from spending much of its US$47 billion annual budget.
https://go.nature.com/4gM6oW4
https://go.nature.com/4gM6oW4
It’s been 8 years since I lost my brother, Matt, to suicide.
This anniversary, I was compelled to share some reflections on my grief journey.
I hope these reflections can spread awareness & remind people they are not alone.
www.psychologytoday.com/za/blog/deep...
This anniversary, I was compelled to share some reflections on my grief journey.
I hope these reflections can spread awareness & remind people they are not alone.
www.psychologytoday.com/za/blog/deep...
Surviving the Impossible: Reflections on Suicide Loss
Personal Perspective: I lost my brother to suicide and thought I would never recover. Eight years later, I have identified strategies that have helped me overcome this nightmare.
www.psychologytoday.com
February 20, 2025 at 5:18 PM
It’s been 8 years since I lost my brother, Matt, to suicide.
This anniversary, I was compelled to share some reflections on my grief journey.
I hope these reflections can spread awareness & remind people they are not alone.
www.psychologytoday.com/za/blog/deep...
This anniversary, I was compelled to share some reflections on my grief journey.
I hope these reflections can spread awareness & remind people they are not alone.
www.psychologytoday.com/za/blog/deep...
Reposted by Andrew Devendorf, PhD
We are hearing that there is a meeting of all NIH IC directors happening now. We are also hearing, from several sources, rumors about director and assistant director level removals coming soon.
The impact of this wld be enormous.
IC directors have all grantmaking authority for each institute. 🧪
The impact of this wld be enormous.
IC directors have all grantmaking authority for each institute. 🧪
February 14, 2025 at 3:30 PM
We are hearing that there is a meeting of all NIH IC directors happening now. We are also hearing, from several sources, rumors about director and assistant director level removals coming soon.
The impact of this wld be enormous.
IC directors have all grantmaking authority for each institute. 🧪
The impact of this wld be enormous.
IC directors have all grantmaking authority for each institute. 🧪
Reposted by Andrew Devendorf, PhD
In its totality what's happening at HHS & NIH is a Musk/Trump effort to shutdown almost all cancer cure research in the US. No more new cures. Cancer's brand is really in the dumps. It polls terribly. This is a political argument that is straightforward to make. talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/nih-a...
NIH and Its Agencies Are Being Smothered
In recent days I have been inundated by reports out of HHS...
talkingpointsmemo.com
February 14, 2025 at 5:08 PM
In its totality what's happening at HHS & NIH is a Musk/Trump effort to shutdown almost all cancer cure research in the US. No more new cures. Cancer's brand is really in the dumps. It polls terribly. This is a political argument that is straightforward to make. talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/nih-a...
My motivation for writing academic papers is at a low point.
Publications are currency for research jobs…
But with hiring freezes & severe budget cuts to VA/NIH/NSF/university systems…I’m questioning their value atm.
To other early career psychologists/scientists, my thoughts are with you.
Publications are currency for research jobs…
But with hiring freezes & severe budget cuts to VA/NIH/NSF/university systems…I’m questioning their value atm.
To other early career psychologists/scientists, my thoughts are with you.
February 14, 2025 at 6:16 PM
My motivation for writing academic papers is at a low point.
Publications are currency for research jobs…
But with hiring freezes & severe budget cuts to VA/NIH/NSF/university systems…I’m questioning their value atm.
To other early career psychologists/scientists, my thoughts are with you.
Publications are currency for research jobs…
But with hiring freezes & severe budget cuts to VA/NIH/NSF/university systems…I’m questioning their value atm.
To other early career psychologists/scientists, my thoughts are with you.
Reposted by Andrew Devendorf, PhD
At OPM, Musk’s staffers won’t leave—they work around the clock and have even installed sofa beds in the office. Our access to data systems has been restricted, raising serious concerns about cybersecurity and a complete lack of oversight. We are keeping our heads down and documenting everything.
February 2, 2025 at 5:21 PM
At OPM, Musk’s staffers won’t leave—they work around the clock and have even installed sofa beds in the office. Our access to data systems has been restricted, raising serious concerns about cybersecurity and a complete lack of oversight. We are keeping our heads down and documenting everything.
Reposted by Andrew Devendorf, PhD
In preview of my Monday morning piece, I'm going to say a little bit about why this is so concerning. This is not some "economy" thing. Its first & foremost the possibility that our legal order is modified so the law of the land is defined by Elon Musk at Treasury
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/01/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/01/u...
Elon Musk’s Team Now Has Full Access to Treasury’s Payments System
www.nytimes.com
February 1, 2025 at 11:38 PM
In preview of my Monday morning piece, I'm going to say a little bit about why this is so concerning. This is not some "economy" thing. Its first & foremost the possibility that our legal order is modified so the law of the land is defined by Elon Musk at Treasury
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/01/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/01/u...
Reposted by Andrew Devendorf, PhD
Organize. Organize. Organize. In your neighborhood. In your city or town. Your state. But do not sit on the sidelines now. 10/
January 31, 2025 at 10:56 PM
Organize. Organize. Organize. In your neighborhood. In your city or town. Your state. But do not sit on the sidelines now. 10/