Kyaien O. Conner is licensed social worker and a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Social Work where she received a Doctorate of Philosophy. She also received a Masters degree in Public Health from the University of Pittsburgh with a certificate in minority health and health disparities. Dr. Conner is currently Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Dr. Conner is also an adjunct faculty member in the MSW and BSW program’s at the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work.

Dr. Conner is a clinical mental health services researcher. Her research investigates the factors that influence disparities in mental health service utilization and treatment outcomes for individuals with mental health disorders. Dr. Conner’s research is also focused on the elimination of racial and ethnic disparities in mental health diagnosis, treatment, outcomes, and access to mental health services. She has a specific interest in investigating the impact of stigma on the treatment seeking attitudes and behaviors of individuals with mood disorders. Her peer reviewed published work can be seen in International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, Journal of Mental Health and Aging, Journal of Aging Studies, Families In Society, Journal of Health and Social Policy, Journal of Social Work Practice in the Addictions and The Journal of Gerontological Social Work.

Dr. Conner is currently the primary-investigator her first independent study funded by NIMH(K23 MH09051-01) entitled Enhancing Mental Health Treatment Engagement Among Older Adults with Depression. This study tests a novel dual component model designed to reduce stigma, provide elders in recovery from mental illness and opportunity to be productively active and give back to their community by serving as lay health workers (i.e. Peer Educators) and to help engage acutely depressed elders into needed treatment. Dr. Conner is also a part-time therapist at PERSOMA PC, a local clinical therapy practice. She is a trained cognitive behavioral therapist and specializes in treating mood disorders in adults.